Interview with the Mighty Sparrow by Ital-K 2001

Sparrow: 9th of July 1935

afiwi Where?

Sparrow: Grand Roi, Grenada

afiwi Any brothers or sisters?

Sparrow: One brother (deceased), and one sister-living

afiwi Who inspired you when you were a youngster (small) to sing and play Mento and
Calypso?

Sparrow: Well, I'd have to say my mother. She was on the church choir, and that's
where I learned the skill of voice training. We went to St. Patrick's
Church in Newtown. It was here at St. Patrick's Church where I learned
to speak many languages: Latin, Hindi, Spanish, French, Patois, Dutch,
Taki-Taki, Paramaribo, and Chinese. You'll notice that I speak in many
languages in my songs because I want to appeal and sing to everyone.

afiwi Yes, that's true. I have noticed your linguistic versatility on several of your songs

Sparrow: Yes man! You see, music speaks to everyone in many languages. I make
my music to reach and please all of my fans. I write and sing songs that
everyone can relate to

afiwi I regard you as one the pioneering founders of our music along with people like
Lord Invader and Lord Kitchener. Was there any controversy between two of the
major players in the development & progression of mento, Kitch and yourself?

Sparrow: Well there was always some back and forth between Kitchener and myself
in those days. I sang a song about him, and he sang one about me; in
competition style. There was some differences between Kitchener and
myself. Kitchener sang in one tone and style. I used languages in mine,
I'd sing many verses in Latin….(he improvises in Latin)….I'd sing songs
in Spanish…..(he improvises in Spanish, patois, then in Taki-Taki).
That's how people could tell the difference between Kitchener and me. We
had a little competition going, making funny lyrics about each other; and
then eventually became good friends until Kitchener passed away.
Many people didn't know that Kitchener had been living in England for
32 years.

afiwi Really?

Sparrow: Yeah man. He was recording with Emile Straker (from Straker Records)
on Melodisc Records in England. He eventually settled in Manchester. I
had to go to Manchester to find Kitchener after all that time away from
Trinidad, and persuade him to go back home. (just before he died). We
had drifted apart over the years, but became good friends prior to his
death in Trinidad.

afiwi Sounds like you've really traveled the world

Sparrow: Yes, I've been to many countries. I bet you didn't know that I'm an
African Chief? In 1977 at the Festac Arts Festival at the University of
Nigeria in Lagos, I was made an Honourary Chief of Nigeria. I was given
the title: Chief Omowale (oh-mo-wah-lay) of Ikoyi (ee-coy-yee). This
means returning son, like the prodigal son.
I was also given the title of "Cultural Ambassador of Grenada", where
you have to call and address me by my official title: "Your Excellency,
The Honourable Doctor Slinger Francisco OCC HBM DLITT etc….
I was given an Honourary doctorate from UWI (University of the West
Indies) and was awarded the title of: Order Of Caribbean
Communication "OCC".

afiwi So if I'm to approach and address you formerly by your official title, it would be
Your Excellency, The Honourable Doctor Slinger Francisco OCC, HBM, DLITT
Etc

Sparrow: Your Excellency, The Honourable Doctor Slinger Francisco, OCC, HBM,
DLITT etc. Going back to what you asked me before about my songs.
You remember my song about President Bill Clinton's impeachment "No
Touch Me President"?

afiwi Yes I sure do. That was a very popular song with our audience at that time. It was
so popular that we asked our listeners to get a copy of your single to Mr Clinton
and Hillary at the White House. And you know what Sparrow; your single made
it's way to the White House right into the BOTH Bill's & Hillary's hands!

Sparrow: (laughs). Yes I know. Both Hillary and Bill listened to it and enjoyed it
very much. I'm gratified to know that they enjoyed my work.
You know; it's a shame to see what they tried to do to that man. It was a
trap that they set for him. He didn't do what they accused him of. Their
story was based on bribery, treachery, entrapment with the dress and
stain, and then impeachment. Some call it laziness, or not being
discrete. Henry Hide calls it "youthful discretion". (laughs).
Colin Powell (from Jamaica) the current Secretary of State mentioned me
and my music in his memoires. I admire him.

Sparrow: Yeah man, Henry Hide and his "youthful discretion". You see, I sing
songs that affect everyone; songs that people can relate to everyday.
Remember the song "This Is Madness"?……(sings a few verses)…..and
"Democracy For Haiti"?…..(sings some new verses). You know,
traditionally Calypsonians will sing about events that happened from 1604
up until now, in creole. There's a saying that "Whatever happens to you,
happens all around you. If it's good you do, then it's good you'll see, just
like MLK (Martin Luther King Jr's) dream of unity and of the
Presidency.
Things were not always easy for me. Between 1959 & 1960; Lord Melody
and myself came to New York City looking for some $$ from Harry
Belafonte, who was the cream-of-the-crop artist at that time for
Caribbean music. I was just looking for Harry to open some doors for me,
I wasn't looking for money; just for him to open those special doors to the
who's who of the music business so that I can rub shoulders with the
important decision makers at that time. Belafonte observed that in me
also, and referred to me as being "smart"; even though he liked Lord
Melody more than myself. When nothing happened for me, I went back to
England and continued on with my career.

afiwi Have you ever duo'd with any other Calypsonian? The person who comes to
mind is Minister Louis Farrakhan, The Charmer.

Sparrow: No. I've never sung duo/duet with another Calypsonian, but I was there in
the audience at the minister's birthday one day. I was in the audience, and
the minister told the crowd that he was a fan of mine and sung many of
my songs. Farrakhan was singing one of my songs when I walked out of
the crowd towards him on the stage, where we started going back-and-
forth with each other. Yeah man, the "Prince Charmer". Many people
don't know and/or realize that Minister Louis Farrakhan grew up in the
church, and got his roots in the church, like me.
But for the record, Lord Robert Nelson was the first Calypsonian who
sang my songs inside of Park Place. I sang on stage with him before the
traditional Labour Day Parade in Harlem, NY, before it was moved to
Brooklyn. There's a little history for you.

afiwi Definitely!

Sparrow: You know, as you've got me talking right now, and your English accent is
bringing back all of those early days in England. And those "Teddy
Boys". You remember them?

afiwi Of course I do! They always used to be fighting and causing trouble in the 60's &
70's. I remember many Saturday afternoons during football season running from
them when I was younger. Even when Wolverhampton had racial riots and was
burning down they didn't mess with ANY Black Youth!

Sparrow: They thought that they were it until they met the Jamaicans…..(laughs &
sighs). Boy let me tell you, not even the Police could handle the "Teddy
Boys" (trouble-making young white youths with the Elvis Presley hair-
styles of the volatile 60's). It was only the Jamaicans who cooled down the
Teddy Boys. You noticed that you never heard nothing about them after
they messed with the Jamaicans? The Jamaicans cooled them RIGHT
DOWN!

afiwi That's one of many reasons why I hold my Caribbean elders in such high esteem.
Not only for the things they've done, the many obstacles they faced &
endured, the paths they've created for us younger ones, as well as the history that
they've made leaving the Caribbean to settle down in England. In my opinion,
Caribbean music wouldn't have enjoyed the success it had in the 50's 60's 70's
& 80's if it wasn't for these elders like yourself. They've sacrificed a whole lot,
made new lives, and created families in England. They have traveled far and
brought their culture with them to England. My parents are included in this group
of Afro-Caribbean pioneers.

afiwi Tell me Sparrow; what are you upto right now. Your current plans, projects, new
albums. Anything like that in the works?

Sparrow: Right now, I'm into "Gospel-lypso". I've been in this a very long time,
and it's all about giving God thanks. I've come a long long way; just like
you mentioned before about sacrifice. I was part of that revolutionary era
that overcame colonialism, many of life's obstacles, friends, detractors,
and back-stabbers; and I'm still here. So I'm giving God thanks.

afiwi Irie man. Definitely; we MUST give God thanks everytime. One question I must
ask; how many albums have you recorded and where can your fans find your
music?

Sparrow: Right now, I have over 40-CD's on individual albums; one of which is
"The Anthology of Sparrow". Some of the universities and libraries have
brought some already. You can find it in Brooklyn, at VP Records in
Queens, as well as Tower Records in Manhattan. My friend Ital, I have
another appointment. I have to go now, but we'll talk again.

afiwi Much respect & honour is due unto you "Chief Omowale of Ikoyi". Thanks for
your time, memory, inspiration, and desire to take our music further onto higher
heights. You've definitely inspired a young man like me. Thank you from my
heart, I ask that Jah continues to bless you continually. For me, this was a
lifetime honour.

Sparrow: Thanks again Ital, we'll talk again soon