Calypso Fans Say Goodbye To Calypso Buck

The Montserrat community is mourning the loss of another exponent of the calypso art form.

Curtis “Calypso Buck” Francis passed away at his home in Salem recently, plunging the calypso fraternity yet again into mourning.

It was only earlier this month that Samuel “King Styler” Ryan died at his home in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

Buck was from a musical family that include the talented guitarist Lloyd “Bimsha” Francis and former Calypso king Herman “Cupid” Francis.

He participated in the national calypso monarch competition for many years with varying degrees of success. His best moment was in 1983 when he penned “Little Dot On The Map,” a song about his love for Montserrat, the island’s unique characteristics and a plea to his country men to save it from ruin.

Much to his disappointment Buck did not win the calypso title and hit back at the adjudicators the following year with the song “Partial Judges,” accusing them of practicing nepotism in the competition.

Some of his other noted songs over the years were “Peace of Mind” and “Dear John” - a tribute to former Chief Minister John Alfred Osborne signaling his exploits as one of Montserrat’s most successful politicians.

ZJB will be hosting a special tribute to this unique calypsonian on Wednesday at 4PM, hosted by Leonard Wade Junior. Among the panelists are his brother Herman “Cupid” Francis, Franlyn “Algie” Greaves and Austin “Ratamba” Howe.

The funeral will be held on Thursday.