Merchant, who was first diagnosed as HIV positive in 1994, finally succumbed to the deadly virus at the San Fernando General Hospital at 11 p.m. on Saturday, after being re-admitted seven days ago.

Last week he had collapsed at the offices of the Copyright Organization (COTT) after a spell of vomiting.

Dr. Edward Addo, who attended to Merchant over the years and most recently at Christmas time, told the Express: "He passed after his resistance was further lowered, when he contracted pneumonia. I was informed that when he came into the hospital he was very weak. It would have been difficult for him to survive. Like so many other people in his position, he had also given up."

It was a thought echoed by many of his colleagues, who called the Express to convey condolences to his family.

Speaking from New York, the Mighty Sparrow said he was astonished at Merchant's condition when he saw him outside the Mas Camp Pub last month.

"He told me he only had a short time to live," Sparrow said. "My heart went out to him. I attempted to get TUCO (Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization) to do something on his behalf, in recognition of his prolific input, which actually helped to keep Carnival going by making such an input to each calypso season. I would like to volunteer a performance at any benefit concert that may be organized for him."

Merchant, who would have celebrated his 56^th birthday had he lived to May 19^th, wrote hundreds of calypsoes since coming onto the scene in 1976.

In fact, he came into the limelight by a curious route when, along with Anthony James, he was convicted on a housebreaking and larceny charge. Impresario William Munroe told then High Court judge Clinton Bernard that merchant, who had been orphaned at age 11, would turn over a new leaf if spared a jail term. Merchant was convicted, but placed on a four-year probation.

He then recorded the song "Norman, Is That You?" and it became an instant hit. He then followed with two other hit paraders, "Um Ba Yo" and "Let No Man Judge", shooting into calypso stardom, even without a voice upon which he could depend.

Hardly the singer, Merchant became better known as a songwriter, whose works were sought after by calypsonians both at home and abroad.

However, he voiced songs that came to be known as anthems, like "Caribbean Connection" and the calypso that has the record for inspiring newspaper headlines, "Pan in Danger".

Former Copyright Organization chairman and himself a prolific lyricist, Alvin Daniell, yesterday said: "I certainly recognize the tremendous contribution that Merchant has made, even if we only count the number of compositions that he assigned to he organization. He helped in no small way to keep COTT buoyant, with music that reached around the globe.

"Merchant was the largest single recipient of royalties, collecting from places as far off as Australia and with a variety of work and much of it as cover versions done by other artistes. His catalogue would run into hundreds of compositions."

Some of those works are still to be recorded. Daniell, who this year wrote lyrics for Merchant's "I Remember Africa" (for Wayne Rodriguez) and "Celebration" (for Melanie Hudson), still has three of Merchant's melodies awaiting lyrics. He promised that those pieces would be released for next Carnival.

"His music will live on," Daniell said, adding that discussions were already underway for the publication of a songbook of Merchant's works and a concert in tribute to the great composer.

Of his fellow calypsonians, Bally and The Mighty Trini were closest to Merchant in the end. Trini lamented the 'official disregard' of Merchant.

"I had campaigned for years to have influential people pay the kind of tribute that Merchant deserved as a songwriter. I remember a radio dee-jay saying that he did not want to play Merchant's music because the calypsonian was a drug addict and had Aids. The Government like they thought the same thing too, because they never paid any attention to this talented composer. That is perhaps why he lost the will to live."

Bally described Merchant as the best calypso writer ever, saying that because of his cocaine addiction, even a few unscrupulous calypsonians took advantage of him.

"They would give him next to nothing for his songs, because they knew he wanted the cash in a hurry," Bally said. "But his personality was such that the would give away some songs anyway.

Yesterday, Hot Caribbean Tempo, FM105, dedicated much of its morning programming to the late composer. During the call-in session, several calypsonians, including TUCO president, Penguin, took the opportunity to express condolences to Merchant's family.

Merchant leaves to mourn a 12-year-old son, Lester. His former wife, Ruthlyn Boxhill, who continued to take care of him, even after re-marrying, will soon announce funeral arrangements.

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