Slinger Francisco ORTT CM OBE, OCC (July 9, 1935 – September 27, 2026), better known as Mighty Sparrow, was a Trinidadian calypso vocalist, songwriter and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he was one of the best-known and most successful calypsonians. Francisco won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition eight times, Calypso King/Monarch eight times, and twice won the Calypso King of Kings title. Slinger Francisco was born in the fishing village of Grand Roy, Grenada, British West Indies, on 9 July 1935. He moved to the Colony of Trinidad and Tobago as a one-year-old with his mother, his father later relocating there in 1937. He grew up in Laventille, a suburb of Port of Spain. He began singing as a small child, but his love of calypso was discouraged while at Newtown Boys Catholic School, where he sang in the choir. At the age of 14, he joined a steel band comprising neighborhood boys, and performed with the band at Carnival. He received his performing name "Little Sparrow" during his early career, as a result of his energetic stage performances: Your calypso name is given to you by your peers, based on your style. In the old days they tried to emulate British royalty. There was Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Duke. When I started singing, the bands were still using acoustic instruments and the singers would stand flat footed, making a point or accusing someone in the crowd with the pointing of a finger, but mostly they stood motionless. When I sing, I get excited and move around, much like James Brown, and this was new to them. The older singers said "Why don't you just sing instead of moving around like a little sparrow?" It was said as a joke, but the name stuck.— Mighty Sparrow Rest in power to the Calypso King Of The World! This is strictly his "jump up" vibes. This is only a snapshot of "Birdie's" contributions. Stay tuned for more! -Papa Robbie I do not own the rights to the material featured here. For educational and entertainment purposes only. This is protected by the RED, the BLACK, and the GREEN!!!
