Star Gazin'
 
LORD KITCHENER
[ April 18, 1922 – February 11, 2000 ]
Road March Grand Master!
"It was dark, dark, dark
In a big, big park
I felt like a king on top a throne
Me and Melda lying alone
I heard a walk
And a screaming talk ……………… "
Your mind will, very mysteriously, hold on to one remarkable feat and, as a consequence, bring to the fore the memory of that individual credited for such an outstanding achievement; regardless of impact: “good or bad”.
I was a boy, then; and could not really comprehend the somewhat strange operation of the gramophone. But, one thing was for certain, regardless of its unbelievably mind-boggling means of producing such sweet sound I grew, on first impact, quite fascinated to this magnificent machine; especially when I was feeding it with a platter that featured either one of my favourite songs or artistes.
You might wonder which element caught my attention first: “singer” or “song”.
During these early days, and quite likely up to this very moment, to me: the song came first, then the voice and, finally, the singer.
"Can anyone tell dem aroun’
Alphonso in town
Drink rhum, tell dem aroun’
Alphonso in town ………….. "
There were Melody, Cristo, Attila …and, the rest. But, at that time, my idol was Kitch; because, to me, every song he sang was beautiful.
"Tick! Tick! Tick!
Everybody watchin’
Tick! Tick! Tick! …………. "
That was "Muriel’s Treasure"!
 The way Kitch took everyday ordinary and simple
topics to create a calypso was truly amazing.
To me, his inspiration seemed to come from unfamiliar
sources.
Quite honestly, I admired “Melo” too. But, quite
definitely, not in the spellbound way as I “flipped over
Kitch”. So, it is not at all difficult to ascertain
precisely how I felt when I was graced with the
opportunity to meet my three calypso heroes – Lord
Cristo, Lord Melody and Lord Kitchener – in the mid-50s.
Kitch’s first taste of success came in 1938, when he
snatched the crown in the Arima Borough Council
Competition. He continued his reign for a further four
consecutive years. It was at that time – 1942 – he
joined the Roving Brigade; traveling, then, with the
calypsonians in his age bracket.
The tours brought much desired exposure, eventually culminating in Johnny Khan of the then popular Victory Tent manager’s nod of approval to Alwyn’s outstanding ability as composer, singer and entertainer. The line-up of that tent, located at the time on Edward Street, included such greats as Roaring Lion, Growling Tiger and Attila the Hun.
Once again, Alwyn proved to be an instantaneous crowd pleaser. His song, “Green Fig”; speedily grew to be a national anthem of some sort. Up to this point, this budding artiste, satisfied with his ever growing popularity, was contented without the traditional adoption of a sobriquet. However, as a result of his terrific impression on Growling Tiger in his debut performance with the Victory Tent Tiger, decided to honour the twenty-two year old youngster by dedicating him after Field Marshall Kitchener ---- the hero of the Battle of Omdurman and Boer War – as LORD KITCHENER.
That was 1944!
Kitch was born on April 18, 1922, in Arima, Trinidad, to a blacksmith by the name of Stephen Roberts and his wife Alberta. The couple had six children, in all: three boys and three girls. Due to his lanky physique, he was nicknamed “Bean” by one of his sisters.
Lord Kitchener’s rise to stardom had been through UPS and DOWNS. In 1945, his song, “Yankee Sufferers”, was banned by Police Commissioner, Angus Miller. In that year, recognition of his ever increasing fame in the calypso arena ushered the momentous opportunity to perform his classic composition, “Green Fig” for U.S. President Harry Truman at Waller Field.
As early as 1946, Kitchener had embarked on a pioneering adventure. With the cooperation in the likes of Pretender, Spoiler, Melody and Viking, and the chipping in of Mighty Killer, he launched the Young Brigade Tent from its inauguration base on Vincent Street. Today, the “YBT” is to be created for the discovery and nurturing of quite a number of calypso giants. The long list includes such greats as Crazy, Pink Panther, Scrunter, Denyse Plummer and Brother Marvin. It is almost of great significance to point out that David Rudder, surely one of today’s mega stars and, undoubtedly, a model lyricist, started in the field as a back-up singer in the “YBT”.
In the peak of his success Kitch, in 1947, migrated to England. Great speculation surrounded this somewhat unexpected move. However, once he got settled down in London, England, he began scouting around towards the materialization of his long term aspiration.
The big break came in 1950, when he signed on to Parlophone. From the U.K., the Kitch releases were swiftly exported to his homeland, Trinidad … and, as well, throughout the Caribbean.
Kitch soon left Parlophone, and moved to Melodisc. In all, he lived in England for a cool fifteen years.
“Trouble in Arima” …. “Mama Look the Band Passin’” …….. “Nora, Nora” …. were among the hits originating from Kitch’s U.K. era.
In ’07, at 75, Kitch produced another classic hit in “Guitar Pan”. And, while he was flaunted the opportunity to being calypso king for reasons known to those who deprived him of the honour, he remains the undisputed “King of the Steel Band”. His Road March tune record bears testimony to his unbeaten achievement:
 1963 …………. The Road- 1964 …………. Mama Dis Is Mas
- 1965 …………. My Pussin’
- 1967 …………. 67
- 1968 …………. Miss Tourist
- 1970 …………. Maggie
- 1971 …………. Mas in Madison Square Garden
- 1973 ……….... Rain-O-Rama
- 1975 ……….....Tribute to Winston Spree (Simon)
- 1976 ……….... Flag Woman
In addition to his Road March accolade, his feat in Panorama Titles remains unbeatable:
 1964 ………… Mama Dis Is Mas- 1967 ………… 67
- 1968 ………… The Wrecker
- 1969 ………… The Bull
- 1970 ………… Maggie
- 1971 ………… Play Mas
- 1972 ………… St. Thomas
- 1973 ………… Rain-O-Rama
- 1974 ………… Jericho
- 1975 ………… Tribute to Winston Spree (Simon)
- 1976 ………… Pan in Harmony
In order of our Caribbean context, Lord Kitchener proudly stands in the sphere of a Mozart, Bach or Beethoven. It’s just a matter of where he came from that, to this time, robs him of international recognition for the beautiful melodies he created.
Kitch …….. a pan player in his own right!
One must not believe that Kitch’s calypso career was confined only to creating road march tunes... There were, also, the most remarkable, most outstanding and appealing political satires and social commentaries.
“Black Power” and “Curfew Time” (1971) ….. “NO Freedom” and “One to Hang” (1973) ….. “Stanley Abbott” and “Soldier Boy” (1974) …… “WASA: The Water Cry” (1977) and “Take the Phone Out the Hook” (1979) were among the amazing Kitch viewpoint analyses of Trinidad and Tobago in the decade that chronicled major shifts in the way citizens regarded themselves in a world that was generally changing.
Kitch never slowed down, in spite of his growing age. And, one may, then, ponder over the causes for his undaunted agility, zest and vitality. The answer simply lies in this truism: “he never smoked nor drank alcohol in his life. He didn’t use salt or grease in his food; expect that which was produced naturally as a by-product”.
What was his favourite brew, then?
ANSWER: “Mauby”.
Yes! The grandmaster loved his mauby.
So, we might as well ask, “Why the contradiction in a song”?
Which song?
Well, you sing it at every Yuletide Season:
"Drink your rum on a Christmas morning
Drink your rum
Mama drink if you drinkin’ ……… "
This is, undeniably, just one of the many immortal songs he has willed to us: a true traditional composition!
Alwyn Roberts was not just a Trinidadian. He was, in the true sense, “a true westindian”; in the deepest, strongest and brightest way. He was a master at his art field; someone incomparable: a distinguished personality who will for-ever be loved, admired and respected.
Sadly, as we continue to sing his songs and him the dignified homage he so humbly deserved, we cannot forget that memorable 10:45 A.M. moment on February 11, 2000 that he left us to join the choral and play his steel pan in that angelic choir; in paradise.
By Chris. Seraphine
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