Mighty Spoiler

Theophilus Philip (23 March 1926 – 24 December 1960), better known as Mighty Spoiler, was a Trinidadian calypsonian.

Spoiler's career began in 1946 (see 1946 in music) at the House of Lords Tent, and he soon became one of the most popular calypso singers, known for hits such as "Bedbug", "Magistrate Try Himself", "Picking Sense out of Nonsense", "Royal Wedding" and "Trinidad is My Land". The last of these has, to some extent, entered the consciousness of every Trinidadian. He won the Calypso King title on three occasions, in 1948 (with "Royal Wedding"), 1953 ("Bed Bug"), and 1955 ("Pick Sense Out of Nonsense").[1]

He died in 1960 of an alcohol-related illness.[2]

Legacy

Derek Walcott in his poem "The Spoiler's Return" borrows the calypsonian's persona, reworking his "Bedbug" calypso and making satirical use of Spoiler's trademark incantation: "Ah wanna fall!"[3][4]

Among Spoiler's students was Grenadian-born calypsonian The Mighty Bomber (Clifton Ryan).[5]

References
  1. Thompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6, p. 5
  2. "Mighty Spoiler". bestoftrinidad.com. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  3. John Thieme, Derek Walcott, Contemporary World Writers, Manchester University Press, 1999, pp. 18-20.
  4. Calypso Music and Lyrics
  5. Caldwell Taylor, "The Bomber: Tribute to a Grenadian-born Hero - Tribute to The Bomber (Pt.3)", BigDrumNation.


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