The supreme entertainer

Arguably the greatest entertainer the Caribbean has ever produced, he must surely rank alongside the likes of Toussaint L’Ouverture, CLR James, Eric Williams, Rudranath Capildeo, Vidia Naipaul, Derek Walcott, Bob Marley, Sir Garfield Sobers and Brian Lara just to name a few, as men of genius that this region has produced. Exalted company indeed.

From 1956 when Jean and Dinah propelled him to fame he has not looked back. What amazes me most about this man is the fact that he can sing any category of song, whether opera, pop, jazz, gospel, ballads you name it, and also in different languages.

His command of the stage rates second to none and whilst Father Time has severely restricted his ability to gyrate, in other words, Sparrow can’t wine anymore, now readers I am referring to on stage. His golden voice is still strong and clear.

I saw him last year at Queen’s Hall celebrating his 69th, that number that so many lovers like, still looking remarkably fit for his age, vividly remembering him opening his show with that haunting melody "Slave" followed by the classic "Education," "Mae Mae," "Congo Man," "Lying Excuses," "Document Pan" and many others in a memorable performance, displaying the full range of his genius. I did not hear "Rose."

Here is a man who has remained on top of his act for half a century, a man with no university degree but one who can match with kings and presidents, princes and paupers. Many readers will place Robert Nesta Marley as the region’s greatest ever entertainer. Sparrow cannot come close to Marley’s impact on the global scene. Almost 25 years after his death, his songs still have tremendous magnetic power.

However, imagine both of them on the stage at the peak of their careers. The Bird would make mincemeat of the Master Rasta. His versatility would overcome Marley’s stage charisma.

God’s continued blessings to you, your wife Margaret and the rest of your entire family. Sparrow, thanks for the memories.

MICHAEL DENNY
Arima