Barbados’ own Clown Prince of calypso George Georgie Porgie Scantlebury passed away last week at age 70.
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) paid tribute to the man who was a popular performer in the Crop Over Festival during the 1980s and 1990s. He was a member of the House of Soca.
Georgie Porgie famously wrote the lyrics of his self-penned calypsos in the palm of his hand and recited them during his performances – calypsos that were often composed on the same night, the NCF noted.
He appeared on stage with House of Soca legends such as Mighty Dragon, Adonijah, Johnny Ma Boy, Serenader, Invader, Smokey Burke, Night Stalker and others. Then musical director Smokey Roett and the other band members would accommodate Georgie by laying down a simple music bed, allowing him to improvise and perform for an enthusiastic audience.
A former student of St Leonard’s Boys’ School and occasional employee of the Industrial Development Corporation on Harbour Road, Bridgetown, Georgie Porgie was a perennial guest performer at several Crop Over events throughout the season, often making appearances at private functions as well.
He won the Clown Prince crown in 1987 with his song Barbadian Calypsonians. He came through a field which included Cubba, Malik, Duke Check-ED Shirt, Rubber Man, Speedy and Carew.
He later performed in the Mighty Gabby’s Battleground tent. (PR/SAT)
