 Calypso
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In the early days of calypso, calypsonians (singers of calypsoes)
formed groups and performed at various locations around Trinidad during
the months leading up to Carnival. Since these locations were temporary
and ceased to exist after Carnival, they were called "tents." Calypsonians
took on individual nicknames and the tents were also named. Tents that
operated in Port-of-Spain during the 1920s were the Railway Douglas
Tent and the Redhead Sailor Tent. Some of the popular
calypsonians in the 1920s and 1930s were: Attila the
Hun; Lord
Beginner; Lord
Caresser; Lord
Executor; The
Growler; Wilmoth
Houdini; Lord
Invader; Roaring
Lion; King
Radio; Growling
Tiger; Mighty Destroyer; Chieftain Douglas; and Gorilla.
One of the larger and more popular tents in the early 1940s was the
Victory Calypso Tent which functioned at 95 Edward Street in
Port-of-Spain; however, the most popular tent was The Original Old
Brigade which also operated on Edward Street. Another tent in
operation was the Maginot Line Calypso Tent which was located at 47
Nelson Street in Port-of-Spain. The name of the World's Fair Calypso
Tent was changed in 1943 to the Commando Tent and featured Growling
Tiger, Lord
Beginner, Lord
Caresser, and King Iere. In addition to the early calypsonians, some
of the popular singers of the 1940s were: Lord
Pretender; Small Island
Pride; Sir
Galba; Gibraltar;
Lord
Viper; and Lord
Kitchener. Calypsonians who did not join a tent banded together and
performed in cinemas around the country. One such traveling group that
functioned in 1942 was the Roving Brigade.
Although Carnival was suspended from 1942 to 1945 during World War II,
the calypso tents were kept open. By 1947, the 24-year old Lord Kitchener
had gained enough popularity to open a new tent called The Young
Brigade which featured young calypsonians such as: Lord
Melody; Lord
Zigfield; Mighty
Killer; Mighty
Spoiler; and Mighty
Viking. Kitchener's tent was later changed to The Original Young
Brigade. The Old Brigade and The Original Young Brigade
were the two most popular tents throughout the remainder of the 1940s.
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