Cultural fraternity pays tribute to ‘Birdie’

FOLLOWING the death of The Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) at 91 yesterday, a flood of tributes from the cultural fraternity poured in for the Caribbean calypso icon, affectionately known as ‘Birdie’.

Cro Cro

Veteran calypsonian Weston “Cro Cro” Rawlins said: “On Friday, when the Express called me (about his medical condition), I did not want to check anything. I did not want to enter that space. It’s surreal. I am still a little numb. He was a great man. He showed me the road to do it. I did not disappoint him. As a small boy, my parents would pay to see him at Sparrow’s Hideaway. I ended up clashing with him on the Big Stage. I am looking at his photo on my wall at Buenos Ayres. It’s a sad day for Trinidad and Tobago and the cultural fraternity.”