Calypso 1950 - 1959

As the steelband grew, so did calypso music. During the early 1950s, the popularity and success of calypsonians were usually measured by their recordings. This meant that not only was the music expected to be pleasing and easily adaptable to the steelband, but the lyrics also had to be "catchy," i.e., easily remembered by the listeners. The combination of these two factors would determine the Road March (most popular song played during Carnival) from year to year.

With the increasing popularity of calypso music and the competition that grew among calypsonians from rival tents, the Carnival Development Committee instituted the Road March competition in 1952. A year later, the Calypso King contest was added. Between 1953 and 1957, the Calypso King contest only required the performance of one calypso; however, this requirement was changed in 1958 to two calypsoes.

Generally, news events and politics provided the best topics for calypsonians to display their ingenuity. For example, the devastating hurricanes of 1956, Janet and Katie, were captured by Lord Melody in Hurricane Janet: "... Janet('s) sister was Katie/Katie blow (a)way the whole of Miami." The end of World War II saw the slow departure of marines from the U.S. Naval Base at Chaguaramas, but prostitution stayed around for some time. This prompted the Mighty Sparrow to sing in Jean and Dinah: "Jean and Dinah/Rosita and Clementina/'round the corner posing/bet your life (it) is something they selling ..."

The constant public demand for music bands to play (jam) the most popular songs on the streets during Carnival resulted in the selection of a "non-calypso" (Happy Wanderer) as the Road March in 1955. It was the first and only time this anomaly occurred in the 20^th century. Five calypsonians won the seven Road March titles during the 1950s with the Mighty Spitfire (2) and the Mighty Sparrow (2) the only repeat winners.

Five calypsonians won the seven Calypso Crowns during the decade; repeat winners were the Mighty Spoiler (2) and the Mighty Striker (2). The Mighty Sparrow made his debut in this decade and would go on to achieve worldwide fame. In addition to the winners listed below, other singers who performed during the 1950s were: Mighty Dictator; Lord Viper; Lord Christo; Sir Galba; Mighty Panther; Mighty Wrangler; Small Island Pride; Commander; King Fighter; Young Killer; Mighty Terror; "Nap" Hepburn; and Lord Observer.

The following are the results of both the Road March and Calypso Crown competition.