SYLVESTER ANTHONY
ZANDOLEE DIES
Trinidad Guardian
February 22, 2002
Page 1
Sylvester Anthony, known in the calypso world as the Mighty Zandolee, died at the San Fernando General Hospital on Tuesday night.
Zandolee's brother, historical writer and Guardian columnist Michael Anthony, said Zandolee, 66, collapsed at his Mayaro home on Tuesday evening and was rushed to the hospital. He was a diabetic.
Anthony said: "Initially, I thought Sylvester would make it, as when I called the hospital they said he was talking. I had a false sense of security, thinking it was just a mild chest infection he suffered."
Zandolee's funeral will take place on Monday at 3 p.m. at the Mayaro RC Church.
ANOTHER GREAT ONE PASSES
By Peter Ray Blood
Trinidad Guardian
February 22, 2002
Page 2
From New York to Diego Martin, colleagues of Zandolee were shocked and lost for words when they learned of his death.
Zandolee had one of the briefest sojourns in calypso history, spanning all of four years, between 1965 and 1968.
But each year, he succeeded in producing songs that would pass the test of time.
Among Zandolee's more memorable items are "Too Much Man Family", "Female Woodcutter", "Iron Man" and "The Stickman".
In 1968, he performed "The Whip" (aka "Ignatius").
When he joined Sparrow's Original Young Brigade tent in 1965, Sparrow changed his name from the Mighty Ocean to the Mighty Zandolee.
Awakened from a mid-afternoon snooze in his New York apartment, Sparrow said: "Allyuh scaring me, boy. Every time you call me, it;s to tell me that somebody has died.
"I never thought Zando could have died. He was always so full of life and enthusiasm.
"Here I am, caught flat-footed and lost for words. This one is a real shocker.
"As a calypsonian, Zando was very unique and damn funny. One could always depend on a good laugh from him and his humour was mature. Zando was never political.
"Convey my condolences to his relatives and the calypso lovers. Another great one has passed."
Zandolee never won a Road March title or made it to a Dimanche Gras, and, at the peak of his tent career, earned a weekly salary of $150.
But, he was always a satisfied man and an artiste who never groused.
In the first edition of the book Calypsonians From Then to Now, Zandolee told author Rudolph Ottley: "I was never selected to compete in any competitions but that was never an issue with me because the calypsoes I sang would never have been selected for the Dimanche Gras show.
"I was happy being a tent calypsonian. I am a tent man.
It was Zandolee's machismo image and ability to woo people with his provocative lyrics that won him the admiration of 1986 National Calypso Monarch / Road March champion David Rudder.
Almost two decades after Zandolee bid farewell to the calypso tent and local audiences, Rudder sought him out to present him in concert.
Rudder also produced Zandolee's only CD, titled Raw Kaiso, in 1994.
Yesterday afternoon, also expressing shock, Rudder said he considered Zandolee to be "one of the original rude boys in calypso, long before we even had the term. In the same way that Blakie was considered the rude boy in town, Zando represented the country."
So, in September 1994, Rudder presented Zandolee, Blakie and Black Prince in concert at The Mas Camp Pub. The show, co-produced by Engine Room Recording Company, ran for several nights to sold-out audiences.
Always a calypsonian to win the admiration of his peers, Zandolee's chorus line-up for these concerts comprised of former Government Minister Winston "Gypsy" Peters, former national calypso monarch Mystic prowler and Rudder.
Rudder continues: "Zandolee would be considered politically incorrect today, because of his treatment of women in songs. He was a macho, phallic image of a man.
"Nobody took that sexual innuendo tot he height how Zandolee did. He seemed to study every aspect of the sexuality, and the war of the sexes, more than any other calypsonian. I consider Zando's "Woodman of the Year" as the greatest smut ever written.
"It was important to document his works before he died thus the concerts and the CD. In the show, Blakie and Zando were the two rude boys, with Black Prince as the perfect counter, always the victim for women. That is why I produced the three of them together."
Raw Kaiso not only rejuvenated Zandolee's career but also sent his popularity soaring through the roof, to the extent that he toured overseas and performed in two more calypso tents.
In 1998, Zandolee was honoured in New York by Caribbean Entertainers Association and Domino Productions, and performed at the Living Legends in Concert production. The following year, he starred in Raw Kaiso II and, in 2000, was honoured by the National Action Cultural Committee at that year's Young Kings Monarch Final, with King Solomon.
Also in 2000, Zandolee was signed by Yangatang Humourous Tent, winning rave reviews.
He subsequently performed with Maljo Humourous Tent as well.
This year, Maljo performer Darren Fields nightly won himself encores for his impersonation of Zandolee singing "Iron Man".
Zandolee celebrated his 66th birthday on February 1.
Zandolee may have never been a Monarch or champion but in the calypso arena he stood head and shoulders alongside the best, and his works have touched music lovers from every strata of society.