Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

57 WINSFORD ‘JOKER’ DEVINE (1943-2021) H aving attended Morne Diablo R.C. School and San Fernando Technical College, the young Devine was first exposed to the steelband and grew into a self-taught musician. He went on to compose more than 500 calypsoes during a career that spanned over 30 years, beginning in the 1970s. Nicknamed the “Joker,” he was the songwriter most sought after by the popular calypsonians. Although confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke in 1998, Devine continued to write the lyrics and music for many calypsoes including many for the Mighty Sparrow - Rope; Capitalism Gone Mad; Phillip My Dear; Saltfish; Marajhin; Survival; Queen of the Bands; Miss Mary; We Pass That Stage; I Diggin’ Horrors; Wine Back; Sailing; London Bridge; Baron - Feeling It; Jammer; Love and Cherish the Woman. In 1988 he was awarded the Humming Bird Medal Silver. WALTER DOUGLAS (1895-1977) A calypsonian of the 1920s and 30s, he was said to be the first to organise a calypso tent in Port of Spain.