The following is a statement from the general secretary of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP), Steve Blackett on the passing of Francine Edwards, better known as Singing Francine.
The president, officers, and members of the Executive Council and the General Council, and indeed the entire membership of the Democratic Labor Party, take this opportunity to extend its sincere condolences to the family, relatives and close friends and the Calypso fraternities of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on the passing of Francine Edwards, known also by the sobriquet of singing, Francine.
Francine made a significant contribution to the early development of the calypso here in Barbados, and indeed, in her adopted homeland of Trinidad and Tobago. For her to have excelled in what is called the Land of Calypso against the likes of the late Lord Kitchener, Mighty Duke and the king of calypso, The Mighty Sparrow, and many others speaks volumes of her courage and the quality of her work. She, along with Calypso Rose provided the inspiration and encouragement for many other females across the region to get involved in the Calypso art form. We thank this daughter of the soil from Daryl’s Road in Christ Church for her invaluable contribution to the Calypso Art Form. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
End of statement.
