NCC Mourns The Passing Of The Mighty Shadow

Port of Spain, Trinidad: Tuesday, October 23, 2018: The National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, in joining with the national community to celebrate the life of one our most beloved cultural icons, The Mighty Shadow, pays tribute to a musical tour-de-force whose scope of works has come to define the calypso genre as we know and love it today.

Born in Belmont on October 4, 1941, and growing up in Les Couteaux, Tobago, Winston Bailey, better known as The Mighty Shadow, is widely hailed as one of our nation’s most accomplished musical titans and cultural ambassadors, gifting the world with such gems as “Bassman”, “Dingolay”, “Pay De Devil”, “Poverty is Hell”, “Stranger”, and “Yuh Looking for Horn.”

His work in the field is second to none, having been a Calypso Monarch, International Soca Monarch, and a multiple Road March winner. In 2001, he became the first calypsonian to win both Soca Monarch and Road March competitions simultaneously with his hit “Stranger”.

The Mighty Shadow’s invaluable contributions would extend well beyond the calypso world. His signature flair and inimitable style can be witnessed in several contemporary songs and jingles while his commitment to advancing the local culture has forever positioned him deep within our nation’s cultural bedrock as one of our most influential figures.

For his tireless work in the field, he earned the Hummingbird Medal (Silver) in 2003 and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 2018 for his contributions as a musical composer.

The NCC joins with the Nation in remembering Winston “The Mighty Shadow” Bailey – a true son of the soil. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.