Veteran calypsonian the Mighty Terror died yesterday afternoon. Terror would have celebrated his 60th year as a professional calypsonian next year having embarked on his career in 1948 at Calypso Palace before moving on to the Young Brigade.
Terror, popularly known as "The Golden Voice" in tribute to his strident but mellifluous baritone, was among the founding members of the Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, having joined the agency on January 1, 1985. He received COTT's Golden Achievement Award in 2004 at their sixth Music Awards ceremony at Queen's Hall, St Ann's.
Born Fitzgerald Cornelius Henry on January 13th, 1921, at Arouca, Terror migrated to England in 1953 and four years later copped the Calypso King of Great Britain title, a distinction he held up to his time of passing since this competition was never repeated.
Later he joined forces with (the late) Grandmaster Kitchener and eventually teaming with the Bert Mc Lean Trio for a series of tours, before returning home in 1965, after 22 years abroad.
A year after he returned to Trinidad (1965), Terror won the calypso crown doing "Play Mas" and "Steelband Jamboree." Among Terror’s all time classics in calypso are "Steelband Callaloo Tonic" and "Chinee Children Calling Me Daddy."
Terror is survived by his wife Gloria and four daughters, all of whom live in the USA.
