A pillar of the musical landscape has passed and it has left the fraternity shaken.
It is understood that highly acclaimed writer, composer, calypso analyst and recording artiste, Don Marshall, more affectionately known by his sobriquet Sir Don, passed away in his sleep this morning.
Sir Don first came to national prominence in 1963 and for more than five decades made significant contributions to Barbados by way of his pen and imparting knowledge, whether that was penning the winning compositions of the 2018 Pic-O-De-Crop King, Anderson “Blood” Armstrong or serving as a judge and advisor to the youngsters in the annual Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest.
Just a few years ago his “sterling contribution to the Crop Over Festival in the field of music” was recognised by the National Cultural Foundation.
One his many colleagues that express profound sadness on hearing news of his death was musician Sheldon Hope, who reached several calypso finals thanks to Sir Don’s compositions and who for many years would have served alongside him as Teen Talent judge.
The man is just a true gentleman and he was always professional. I can’t think of any person that would have something negative about him. He was a great teacher. Always willing to give advice to anyone . . . . This thing knocked the thing out of me,” Hope said as he described Sir Don as a lyrical icon.
Sir Don leaves to mourn his wife and children. (SDB Media)
