Calypso Rose

Who is Calypso Rose?

Calypso Rose born McCartha Linda Sandy-Lewis, April 27, 1940 in Bethel, Tobago is a calypsonian. She began writing songs at the age of 15, turned professional in 1964 and has written over 800 songs and recorded over 20 albums.

Rose's father was a leader with the Spiritual Shouter Baptists. Her family was very traditional and opposed her singing in Carnival Tents. She composed her first Calypso in 1955 after seeing a man steal the spectacles off of a lady’s face in the Croisée, San Juan. In the song, she advises Tobagonians to stay at home, because Trinidad was no place for them. Originally she used Crusoe Kid as her stage name, the name Calypso Rose was given to her by the Spoiler, and tent members Piggy and Spike.

Travelling outside of Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in 1963, Rose covered the islands from Grenada to St. Thomas. She won the Calypso King contest and the Roadmarch in St. Thomas with her first recording, Cooperation. In 1966 she wrote the song Fire in Me Wire, the first calypso ever sung two years running at the Trinidad carnival, in 1966 and 1967.

In the mid-70s, as well as dominating the race for the Calypso Queen Title, a title she won five years running from 1972 to 1976, Rose had major hits with Constable Rose and Do Dem Back which became her first gold disc.