Calypso icon Andre Tanker dies

An icon in the entertainment industry, Andre Tanker has died.

According to reports, Tanker collapsed at his home on Carnival Friday night after succumbing to a heart attack. He was rushed to the St Clair Medical Centre where he died after failed attempts to revive him. He was 61. When Sunday Newsday visited his neighbourhood in Maraval, neighbours recalled hearing his wife’s screams and expressed shock at hearing his passing. They recalled seeing him just days ago and he appeared vibrant and in good health. A special tribute will be paid to him at Dimanche Gras tonight, said National Carnival Commission (NCC) Chairman Kenny De Silva, who also expressed his shock and offered condolences to his family. He didn’t reveal details about plans for the show, except to say it would be  “a surprise”.

Up to Thursday night, Tanker performed his 2003 compositions “Rough Wine”, “Is Heat” and “Food Fight”, the latter a collaboration with Maximus Dan, at Mad Hatters Ball, MOBS2, Chaguaramas. Tanker made a resurgence at Carnival last year with one of the season’s biggest hits “Ben Lion”, a collaboration with the group 3 Canal. Up until his death, he had been in the studio working with producer Graham Wilson on his new album. Wendell Manwarren (3 Canal), friend and fellow artiste said that the Canal family was still trying to come to terms with his death. “I last saw him on television but I spoke to him up to a couple of days ago because we were discussing plans with regard to Ataklan. “Just recently we were talking and I was saying, ‘Andre is time to do your ‘Santana’ album,’ a collaboration with artistes, because to me he’s our equivalent of Santana,” said Manwarren. “We were working with him in the studio and the idea was to do a serious album outside of Carnival.” Manwarren described him as a “warrior hero, somebody who was committed to being an artiste from very early and maintained that course. He was committed to the craft and made it possible for others to follow. As a matter of fact, he was the first person I spoke to about coming into music. We are going to pay tribute to him as we celebrate the 10th year of our Jouvert band ‘X’.”

Tanker’s close friend, singer Ella Andall described him as the “head of the music family” in Trinidad and Tobago. She said that with his passing, it is hoped that “entertainers take another look at themselves and work harder to make our music worthwhile and not sound like a distraction.” Andall, who worked often with Tanker during his distinguished career, told Sunday Newsday “through his music, which he was devoted to with heart and soul, he reminded us to take pride in ourselves and our work. He is gone, but he will forever live in my memory, as I still feel close to him.” Culture Minister Pennelope Beckles also expressed her condolences on Tanker’s passing yesterday. She told Sunday Newsday he created his own space and left his mark in the local music industry.