Dr. Stalin, King David

In the spotlight at that event will be two former National Calypso Monarchs, Black Stalin (Dr Leroy Calliste) and David Rudder, artistes of international repute who have gained the respect and admiration of lovers of calypso for their incisive and thought-provoking compositions.

With his politically aware lyrics, Black Stalin (born: Leroy Calliste) has been hailed as one of the kings of soca. A five-time winner of the National Calypso Monarch title in 1979, 1985, 1987, 1991, and 1995, Stalin sings of the struggles of South Africa, the quest for world peace, his secrets for staying alive and the craft of pan drum making.

Stalin is one of the major practitioners of traditional calypso, providing insightful social and
political commentary in his compositions. In recognition of his tremendous contribution to Trinidadian culture, he received a National Award, the Hummingbird Medal (Silver), in 1987.

The Doctor of Letters degree was conferred on Stalin at the graduation ceremony at the University of the West Indies (UWI) St Augustine campus last October.

David Rudder spent much of his early childhood with his grandmother, a spiritual Baptist, growing up near a panyard and a Shango yard in a neighbourhood where boys dreamed of being entertainers. It was at school that he discovered how much art, painting and sculpture really interested him. Rudder began singing at the age of 11 with a group called The Solutions. In 1977 he joined the brass band Charlie’s Roots and began charting his musical career. His exposure to Shango and the Panyards influenced his music, but he was also influenced by Jazz and African artistes such as Yossou N’Dour and Alpha Blondy. One of the few calypso singers to write his own songs, Rudder helped to usher in a new era for calypso music. His many hits include “Bahia Girl,” “Bacchanal Lady,” “Panama,” “Engine Room,” “Rally ‘Round the West Indies,” “Knock Them Down,” and “The Ballad of Hulsie X.” The title track of his 1988 album Calypso Music remains one of the best selling songs in calypso history. The title track of his 1986 album The Hammer was covered by pannist Andy Narrell as the title track of his own album.

Rudder’s 1990 album, 1990, was named “best calypso album of the year” at the first Caribbean

Music Awards at the Apollo Theatre in New York, while the title track was named Song of the Year at the Nefeita Awards. The following year, his album Rough and Ready received three Sunshine Awards.

One of nine children, Rudder’s talents as a vocalist were evident from a young age. By the time that he reached his 12th birthday, he had already begun singing with a calypso band, the Solutions. Throughout his teens, he sang back-up vocals in a calypso tent run by Lord Kitchener. He supplemented his income as a singer by working as an accountant for the PTSC.

Recruited as a substitute for Christopher “Tambu” Herbert, lead singer of the popular Charlie’s Roots, in 1977, Rudder impressed the group so much that he was invited to remain as a co-lead singer following Herberts recuperation.

The musical playbill for next week’s concert also features the re-appearance of former International Soca Monarch Ronnie Mc Intosh to a local stage, together with sultry songbird and veteran chorus singer Marilyn Williams.

Musical accompaniment will be shared between Roy Cape All Stars and Wayne Bruno and the Rapid Response. Show host is radio personality Winston Maynard.