Calypso world mourning death of Black Stalin
Lovers of the Calypso art form are now mourning the death a veteran Trinidadian calypsonian Dr Leroy Calliste, who is known to the world as Black Stalin.
Stalin died today December 28 at the age of 81 years.
He was born and raised in San Fernando and was the father of four children.
A statement from Trinidad and Tobago Unified Calypsonian Organization said Stalin worked as a limbo dancer before he began singing Calypso in 1959.
He was given the name Black Stalin by fellow calypsonian Blakie in the 1960’s.
Black Stalin won the Trinidad Calypso Monarch title for the first time, in 1979 with his his The Caribbean Man and Play One.
The well loved calypsonian won the coveted title again in 1985, 1987,1991 and 1995. In 1999 he also won the Calypso King of the World title.
Stalin will be remembered for hits such as: Black Man feeling to party, Wait Dorothy, Look on the bright side, Bun Dem, Sufferers and many others .
In 1987 he was awarded the Hummingbird Silver medal for his contribution to culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
In 2008 he was conferred with an honorary doctorate from UWI, St Augustine.
Last year, the city of San Fernando renamed a street the Dr Leroy Calliste Street.
Black Stalin, who had suffered a stroke some time ago, died at his home in San Fernando.
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