Learn about the life and music of Lord Melody, born Fitzroy Alexander in 1926 in San Fernando. Explore the legacy of this iconic calypso musician.
Fitzroy Alexander aka LORD Melody born 1926 in San Fernando, Trinidad and raised at an orphanage in Belmont. His popularity increased locally when Lord Kitchener emigrated to England in 1947.
His early successes included "Berlin on a Donkey", mocking Adolf Hitler, and "Boo Boo Man" first recorded in 1955 and released on several record labels.
"Second Spring" won him the Calypso King title in 1954 and he signed with Cook Records in 1956. Lord Melody (Fitzroy Alexander) Calypsonian aka Melo; regarded as the master of bouncy and tuneful calypsos and Dean of Calypso Tent MC.
After his Grenadian mother and Trinidadian father separated, he was raised at the Belmont Orphanage in Port of Spain from age eight to fourteen. He left the Orphanage to join his mother in Arima, there befriended Aldwyn Roberts, later known as Lord Kitchener.
Kitchener's success probably encouraged Alexander to enter calypso arena, he began singing in rum shops in the mid-'40s as Lord Livingstone, dubbed Lord Melody by a calypso tent manager he was introduced to by Lord Invader.
He joined Atilla the Hun's and Roaring Lion's Victory Tent; joined House of Lords Tent 1946, sang 'Chinese Scandal' that season; moved to innovative Young Brigade Tent 1947 co-founded that season by Kitchener and Mighty Killer.
Killer won unofficial Road March 1948 with 'Canaan Barrow'; that season also sang inventive 'Berlin On A Donkey' poking fun at the deceased Hitler.
In the absence of a National Calypso King contest 1949 (title renamed Calypso Monarch 1978), Melody was widely acclaimed as uncrowned King for his 'Glory Mama Glory'.
Song: Cowboy Sparrow
Artist: Lord Melody
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Erasmus Black Records
Song: Shut Up Your Mouth (Live)
Artist: Harry Belafonte
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Lumi OMP
Song: Creature from the Black Lagoon
Artist: Lord Melody
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Cook Records
Song: Belmont Jackass
Artist: Lord Melody
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Radiophone Archives
Song: Romeo
Artist: Lord Melody
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Cook Records
Song: Picong (Duel with Insults at Six Inches)
Artist: The Mighty Sparrow and Lord Melody
Copyright owners
The Orchard Music
On behalf of: Cook Records
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Carla Parris
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