Discover the musical legacy of The Merchant, one of the most gifted calypso composers! See how his friends rally around to support his work in this revealing video.
CARIBBEAN INSIGHT TV's mission is provide innovative, practical and top quality programs that will serve as a conscious raising vehicle and a cultutal organizing tool, identifyng the social values and attitudes which equates to West Indian people. Our first responsibility is to the viewers watching our programs and the business who used our services to reach theIr target audience.
Dennis Williams Franklyn , aka Merchant, was an orphan at eleven up in Belmont, Trinidad.
However he was one of our most gifted calypso composers, and created hits for many singers , including stars of the art-form like Bally , Baron , De Fosto , Crazy , Eddie Grant and many others.
He also wrote for bands like Atlantik and the internationally acclaimed Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. Merchant was also a fine performer and started his singing career in 1975 , but his breakout hits came in 1977 with “Umbayo” , and “Let No man judge”
In 1978 , Merchant made the first of two appearances at the Calypso Monarch Finals with his hit “Norman, is that you?” and “Think About the Children”. . . His calpso career began in 1975. He appeared at Lord Kitchener's Revue.
His calypsoes include:
• 1975 - Dreams of Unity
• 1976 - Carnival
• 1977 - Umbaya; Let No Man Judge
• 1978 - Norman Is That You?; Teach the Children
• 1985 - Pan in Danger; Caribbean Connection; Rock It
He wrote for Bally, Baron, Crazy, De Fosto, The Mighty Trini, Designer, Drupatee, Eddy Grant, Elsworth James, King Austin, Explainer, Errol Asche, and Leon Coldero, among others. He also wrote for bands that included Atlantik, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and Leston Paul and the New York Connection. Merchant also produced four albums in his lifetime and recorded songs that have stood the test of time,
ARCHIVAL MATERIALS
Courtesy of CITV library
Courtesy of TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TELEVISION
Courtesy of TV 6
Courtesy of CNC3
ARCHIVE & RIGHTS MANAGER
Jeffery Selvon
ARCHIVE & RIGHTS CONSULTANT
Carla Parris
CONTACT: decarlo1995@gmail.com
Subscribe on KZfaq
citvcaribbeaninsighttelevision
Subscribe on Facebook
profile.php?...
Subscribe on Instagram
instagram.com/?hl=en
CARIBBEAN INSIGHT TV is a Production of NORYOV, which is solely responsible for it's content.
© 2024
CITV EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CITV would like to thank OUR viewers for their support.
Special Thanks to the Video footage from CITV, AND TTT
Special thanks for Video Footage from : CITV LIBRARY; NORYON PRODUCTIONS; TTT; TV6 & CNC3