CaribWorldNews, PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Thurs. Jan. 15, 2009: Renown Trinidad and Tobago Calypsonian, Kelvin ‘Mighty Duke’ Pope, has died.Pope was 76. Duke, according to Trinidad media reports, was diagnosed with myelofibrosis, a grave bone marrow disorder that disrupts the body’s normal production of blood cells. He had been battling the disease for four years.
`The Mighty Duke,` was born in 1932 in Point Fortin, Trinidad, a community known for its extraordinary number of entertainers. He grew up in a home where calypso was a staple and he soon after joined the calypso fraternity as a prolific composer. The first song he wrote was in the 1950s.
And from there it was no looking back as `The Mighty Duke,` went on to accomplish a feat that many say may never be repeated in calypso history. He earned the moniker `a Pope, a Duke and a King,` when he set a record as the quadruple winner of the crown at four consecutive Dimanche Gras shows from 1968 - 1971. He won in 1968 with `What is Calypso` and `Social Bacchanal;` in 1969 with `Black is Beautiful` and `One Foot Visina;` in 1970 with `Brotherhood of Man` and `See Through` and in 1971 with `Mathematical Formula` and `Melvie and Yvonne.`
Duke also won the Road March Title with `Thunder` in 1987. He was regarded by many as being on par with Calypso stalwarts like Aldwin `Kitchener` Roberts, who also died during a Carnival season. Among the Mighty Duke’s early contemporaries were Maestro, Stalin, Power, Ras Shorty I and Composer.
The career of the T&T national calypso icon spanned over four decades during which he made an invaluable contribution to Trinidad and Tobago’s calypso heritage. In 1970, the Mighty Duke was honored with the Humming Bird gold medal for his musical accomplishments.
Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, Marlene McDonald, on Wednesday extended `deepest condolences` to Pope`s family, adding, `The national community will miss not only his gentlemanly demeanor but also his unique sartorial elegance.`
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