00:00President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsoean Organization, Ainsley King says Sparrow, also
00:07warmly known as Birdie, was no ordinary performer. Describing him as the King of Calypso, he
00:14believes his extraordinary contribution demands a new and lasting way of honoring his memory.
00:21Sparrow is not just an ordinary person, right? I must say that no award or any such thing to me
00:35in my mind could really bring honor to him, but at least something will be done and that will have
00:42to be based on the forward thinking from here onward.
00:45So I think that we'll have to go into our think time and make sure that whatever we give is
00:54fitting for his contribution.
00:57King tells the TV6 Morning Edition that legacy also lives in the generations of young people the mighty Sparrow influenced,
01:05encouraged and helped shape, extending his impact far beyond his own time on stage.
01:11His achievements were wide and after meeting a certain level, I mean, if you're a genuine and good person and
01:20understand purpose, you will understand the importance of sharing your knowledge, of opening doors for other younger Calypsoeans and so
01:30on.
01:31And I think he did that. He did that in the greatest way that he could have done.
01:36The Tuco president tells us Sparrow's genius was in his range, using Calypso to speak fearlessly about politics and social
01:45issues while making the world listen.
01:47To his music, he gave voice to humor, to struggle, to politics, to relationships, social realities and everyday experiences of
02:00the Caribbean people.
02:01His songs, delivery, his wits and his stage presence set standards for a generation of Calypsoans who continue to study
02:10and admire Birdie.
02:12So Birdie was not an ordinary person and from time to time we see that.
02:17Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
