Sparrow will be performing live at Palm Court on Saturday, November 1.
General admission tickets to witness the Mighty Sparrow live cost $3500 and are available at Palm Court. The VIP tickets cost $5000 and are available at Gizmos and Gadgets. This event is powered by Golden Boy Entertainment, Gizmos and Gadgets, Corona Beer, Trio Stout, Princess Hotel Guyana, and HJ Boom FM.
The Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) is a much-beloved musical icon in the Caribbean, appreciated for his saucy lyrics and social commentary. His entertaining lyrics are equally the source of amusement and sober reflection. His most famous song, truly a Caribbean classic, “Jean and Dinah (Yankees Gone)”, epitomises his catchy, energetic yet thought-provoking style.
One of the most successful calypso artistes, with eight of Trinidad’s Carnival Road March titles to his name, he has performed all over the world, spreading his brand of calypso royalty.
‘Sparrow’ was born in the fishing village of Grand Roy, Grenada, on July 9, 1935. He moved to Trinidad with his mother, as his father relocated there in 1937 and grew up in Port of Spain.
This talented calypso singer began singing as a small child, but his love of calypso was discouraged while at Newton Boys Catholic School, where he sang in the choir. At the age of 14, he joined a steel band comprising neighbourhood boys, and performed with the band at Carnival.
He received the performing name “Little Sparrow” early in his career, as a result of his energetic stage performances. After a couple of years, he changed it to “Mighty Sparrow”.
On leaving school, he began working for the Government Control Board, but continued to perform calypso, which became the better paying of the two, and his residency at the Lotus Club made him a star locally.
His first performance as a carnival singer came in 1954 with “The Parrot and the Monkey”. In 1955, Sparrow made his first recordings “Missing Baby (Ruby)”; “High Cost Of Living”; and “Race Track” for Vitadisc, which were included on the Royalties Of Calypso Kingdom compilation a few years later.
Sparrow continues to perform and continues to incorporate social issues into his music. The themes of peace, tolerance, and concern for the poor show up repeatedly.