"Joker"

WINSFORD  DEVINE DATE OF BIRTH: August 15, 1943 PLACE OF BIRTH: Morne Diablo, Trinidad EDUCATION: Morne Diablo R.C. School San Fernando Technical College CAREER:                                       Growing up in Morne Diablo in South Trinidad, Devine was exposed to steelband music at a very young age when he played in the village steelband. The leader of the steelband was a cousin of his and he introduced him to reading and writing music. As he grew older, Devine developed into a self-taught musician. He went on to compose more than 500 calypsoes during a career than spanned over 30 years, beginning in the 1970s. Nicknamed the "Joker," he was the songwriter most sought after by the popular calypsonians of the period 1970 to 2000. Although confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke in 1998, Devine continued to write the lyrics and music for many calypsoes. The following is a listing by calypsonian of the more popular songs that were penned by Devine: Mighty Sparrow - Rope; Capitalism Gone Mad; Phillip My Dear; Saltfish; Marajhin; Survival; Queen of the Bands; Miss Mary; We Pass That Stage; I Diggin' Horrors; Wine Back; Sailing; London Bridge Crazy - Paul (Yuh Mudder Come); Take A Man; Crazy for Prime Minister; Leaders; We Badder Than Dem; Limbo Baron - Feeling It; Jammer; Love and Cherish the Woman Singing Francine - It's a Shame; St. Peter's Day Mighty Trini - West Indian Cricket; National Pride                                                                Some of the other calypsonians for whom Devine wrote songs were: Poser; Lord Blakie; Sugar Aloes; Lord Shorty; and Machel Montano. He also wrote a test piece, "Fire and Steel," for one of the Steelband Music Festivals. AWARD: 1988 - Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver (for Music and the Arts) Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit