Guardian 1/1/2002
"Veteran calypsonian The Mighty Bomber has died. Bomber, whose real name is Clifton Ryan, passed yesterday at the age of 93. He would have celebrated his 94th birthday on January 30."
What I remember most about "THE MIGHTY BOMBER STORY" was that he was offered "PORTRAIT OF TRINIDAD" to sing ... and he refused the song because he said: "I am from GRENADA and I cannot sing that song" ... after which it was offered to THE MIGHTY SNIPER ... and the rest is HISTORY.
The MIGHTY SNIPER was used in the "TENT BUSINESS" (at that time) as a POLISHER. Meaning that when a CALYPSO was being prepared for delivery at THE TENT, rehearsals were held and they used a "LESSER CALYPSONIAN" to practice the rendition before (a sort of an audition for further review to set the meter and make sure that the song can WIN THE AUDIENCE) and work out the kinks.
When BOMBER refused THE SONG, REGGIE "PIGGY" JOSEPH suggested to the TENT MANAGERS that THE MIGHTY SNIPER was doing a very good job in RENDERING THE SONG ... so why not give it TO HIM!!!!
... and if allyuh doh know who REGGIE JOSEPH WAS ... then doh argue CALYPSO with me ... because I AM A REAL TRINIDADIAN!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
Replies
Holly Betaudier comments on Chantwell singers in carnival bands, the Mighty Bomber and Sparrow on their start in the Calypso Tent...from Calypso at Dirty Jim's.
I is a real Trini too !
MIGHTY BOMBER
REAL NAME:Clifton Ryan
DATE OF BIRTH:January 30, 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH:St. George's, Grenada
EDUCATION:...
CAREER: Bomber was born to a Trinidadian father and a Grenadian mother. He began singing in Grenada and established his career as a professional calypsonian when he moved to Trinidad on June 15, 1956. He won his first calypso contest in 1957 at the Radio Trinidad 10th Anniversary competition. His first hit came in 1958 with "Gloria," which was later recorded by the famous American singer Harry Belafonte. He won his only Calypso King title in 1964 with "Joan and James" and "Bomber's Dream." He made the 2003 Calypso Monarch finals and retired from calypso singing in 2006. His other calypsoes include:
Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit
http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso/bomber.html ;