MIGHTY  PANTHER REAL NAME: Vernon Joseph Roberts DATE OF BIRTH: November 24, 1921 PLACE OF BIRTH: ..., Trinidad EDUCATION: ... CAREER:                                     The Mighty Panther was one of six calypsonians who were chosen to sing for Princess Margaret at the Governor's House during her visit to Trinidad in 1956; the others were Sir Galba, Mighty Dictator, Mighty Spitfire, Lord Melody, and Lord Viper. About two years later, Panther left Trinidad for the USA to perform at the Blue Angel Nightclub in Chicago, Illinois. He then went on a tour of the USA with American drummer Henry Gibson performing at various places: the Tradewinds and Yankee Clipper clubs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Harrah's Club in Las Vegas, Nevada; and the Barefoot Bar at Vacation Village in San Diego, California. While performing in San Diego, he made numerous appearances on local television. In 1962, he settled in Hollywood, California, to pursue a recording contract that did not materialize until 1966 when he recorded the album "Songs of Dynamite." In the interim, he performed at various nightclubs in Los Angeles and San Diego. In 1967, he opened his own nightclub, The Ebb Tide, in San Diego and featured other calypsonians as well as limbo dancers; his show was called "The Mighty Panther and the Jungle Cats." However, his nightclub was not successful and it was closed in 1968. He later sang on cruise ships out of Los Angeles before returning to Trinidad in 1969 to sing at the Original Young Brigade Tent. He returned to New York, USA, in the early-1970s and became active in the West Indian community, later turning to social work when his singing career ended. He was frequently the Master of Ceremonies at shows held before the annual Labor Day Carnival in Brooklyn, New York. In 2001, he teamed up with fellow calypsonian King Wellington for a calypso poetry performance at the People's Poetry Gathering held in Greenwich Village, New York, from March 30 to April 1. His calypsoes include: Chinese Children; Blood Thicker Than Water; The Big Bamboo; Mama Hold the Light; Mary Anne; Nora, Nora; Zoop Zoop Zoop; Mama Tell Me Don't Give ...; Barbados Carnival; Panther Going to the Moon DIED: 2001 Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit