Calypsonian The Mighty Shadow Dies After Stroke

Calypso icon Winston Bailey, best known by his sobriquet "The Mighty Shadow," has died. According to reports, the veteran calypsonian passed at 3:50am on Tuesday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. He suffered a stroke on Sunday. Born in Belmont but raised in Les Coteaux, Tobago, The Mighty Shadow knew from an early age that he wanted to be a singer. He took this passion for music and went on to take the calypso world by storm. He won the Road March in 1974 with "Bassman” and his other song, "I Come Out To Play," also placed second that year. He then won the title again in 2001 with "Stranger" which also won him the International Soca Monarch title. In 2000, Shadow won the Calypso Monarch competition with "What's Wrong With Me" and "Scratch Meh Back." Shadow was known for his unique style and dance. His friend and fellow calypsonian Winston 'Gypsy' Peters was visibly hurt when he spoke to TTT News about his passing. Shadow received the Hummingbird Bird Medal (Silver) in 2003 and celebrated his 77th birthday earlier this month on October 4th. He was due to receive an Honorary degree from the University of the West Indies at the Graduation Ceremony at the St. Augustine Campus later this week. Some of his other popular offerings include "Dingolay," "You looking for Horn," and "Feeling the Feeling."