Jamaica Observer
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Several reports are being circulated via social media that Calypso legend The Mighty Sparrow is dead, however the Trinidad Express and Trinidad and Tobago’s Consulate General in New York have reported that the singer is alive and showing signs of improvement.
Trinidad Express reported that Mighty Sparrow’s son, Anthony Francisco, told them his father was improving slowly and also urged them to wait to hear of any changes from Sparrow’s children or his wife before making an announcement.
According to the T&T Consulate General, Francisco reported to them at 8:37 a.m. today (Thursday) that his father “is resting comfortably, and he’s alive and well”. Francisco also thanked the public for their prayers.
The Express also reported that according to his wife Margaret Francisco, Sparrow started coughing yesterday.
Sparrow, whose given name is Slinger Francisco, is reported to be in a New York hospital.
Wednesday:
CALYPSO legend The Mighty Sparrow is in a coma in a New York hospital, the Trinidad Express newspaper reports.
According to The Express, Sparrow (given name Slinger Francisco) was scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award last Thursday from the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York City.
He did not attend the ceremony. His son, Richard Francisco, accepted the award on his behalf and read a message from his father stating that he was unable to attend the function.
The Express quoted a source as saying Sparrow was “depressed” recently. Calls to Sparrow’s home and mobile phones in New York went unanswered, the newspaper reported. So, did calls to his home in Trinidad, where his wife, Margaret Francisco, spends much of her time. The Grenada-born Sparrow is rated along with Lord Kitchener as Trinidad and Tobago’s greatest calypsonians.
His career started in the 1950s when he first competed in the country’s Carnival events.
He has a strong Jamaican connection, first performing here in the early 1960s. Sparrow was a close friend of Jamaican bandleader Byron Lee, performing regularly on the latter’s Jamaica Carnival.
The two collaborated on the 1975 album, Again!, which contained the hit songs Dragon Dance and Obeah Wedding.
In August 2001, Sparrow received a Jamaica Independence Award during the country’s independence celebrations.
CALYPSO legend The Mighty Sparrow is in a coma in a New York hospital, the Trinidad Express newspaper reports.
According to The Express, Sparrow (given name Slinger Francisco) was scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award last Thursday from the Trinidad and Tobago Consulate in New York City.
Photo – Sparrow
