Theophilus Philip (23 March 1926 – 24 December 1960), better known as Mighty Spoiler, was a
Trinidadian
Trinidadians and Tobagonians, colloquially known as Trinis or Trinbagonians, are the people who are identified with the country of Trinidad and Tobago. The country is home to people of many different national, ethnic and religious origins. As a ...
calypsonian
A calypsonian,Definition of CALYPSO
1946 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1946.
Specific locations
* 1946 in British music
*1946 in Norwegian music
Specific genres
*1946 in country music
*1946 in jazz
Events
*January 5 – Cincinnati – Police ...
) at the
House of Lords Tent
A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condit ...
, and he soon became one of the most popular calypso singers, known for hits such as "Bedbug", "Magistrate Try Himself", "Picking Sense out of Nonsense", "Royal Wedding". He won the
Calypso King title on three occasions, in 1948 (with "Royal Wedding"), 1953 ("Bed Bug"), and 1955 ("Pick Sense Out of Nonsense").
[Thompson, Dave (2002) ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books, , p. 5]
He died in 1960 of an
alcohol-related illness.
Legacy
Derek Walcott
Sir Derek Alton Walcott (23 January 1930 – 17 March 2017) was a Saint Lucian poet and playwright. He received the 1992 Nobel Prize in Literature. His works include the Homeric epic poem '' Omeros'' (1990), which many critics view "as Walcott ...
in his poem "The Spoiler's Return" borrows the calypsonian's persona, reworking his "Bedbug" calypso and making satirical use of Spoiler's trademark incantation: "Ah wanna fall!"
Among Spoiler's students was Grenadian-born calypsonian
The Mighty Bomber
Clifton Ryan (30 January 1928 – 1 January 2022), better known as the Mighty Bomber, was a Grenadian-born calypsonian from Trinidad and Tobago.
The name "The Mighty Bomber" was also used in the 1940s by Trinidadian Calypsonian Kenny Cooper.
...
(Clifton Ryan).
References
External links
Mighty Spoiler – Social Calypsonianswrite-up at Excavated Shellac
See Also
*
List of calypsos with sociopolitical influences This is a list of Calypso music, calypsos categorised by main topics.
"Calypso music has been used by Calypsonians to provide sociopolitical commentary. Prior to the independence of Trinidad and Tobago, calypsonians would use their music to expres ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mighty Spoiler
1926 births
1960 deaths
20th-century Trinidad and Tobago male singers
20th-century Trinidad and Tobago singers
Calypsonians