Hayden Desiree (20 June 1934 – 12 April 2015), better known as Lord Tokyo (named after the capital city of Japan), (and sometimes as Doctor Tokes),[1] was one of the most prominent Dominiquaiscalypsonians. He was the first solo artist to release a Dominiquais-produced record, won the island's Calypso King title, and wrote a winner of the Road March contest.
Born in Loubiere in 1934, Tokyo worked as a taxi driver before finding success as a calypsonian.[2] He married Clemencia Desabaye on 26 May 1962.[2]
Tokyo won Grandbay South Monarch crowns in 1965 and 1966, and in 1966 won the national Calypso Monarch title with "To Hell with the Judges" and "Dr. Tokes".[1] He made history in 1967 when, shortly after the debut release by the Swingin' Stars Orchestra, he became the first solo artist on the island to release a locally-made record with the single "De Man Doing de Pumpin'".[3]
In 1969 he won the Calypso King of Dominica title, and the following year his composition "Tennis Shoe Scandal" won the Road March.[1][2][3] In the early 1970s he began a collaboration with Trinidadian Lord Shorty and lyricist Chris Seraphine, combining calypso, cadence, and Creole patois to give the music a new flavour.[3] Their partnership produced the hit "Ou Dee Moin Ou Petit Shorty", and their innovation led to the development of soca.[1][3][4]
Tokyo spent much of his career in the US (where he also worked as a security guard), Canada, and the UK, recording his debut album in the latter in 1978.[3] He became good friends with Mighty Sparrow and went on to work with Sparrow's band in the 1997, recording a new version of his Road March winner "Tennis Shoe Scandal", following it with the album Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All in 1998.[3]De Pumping Man followed in 2000, featuring a guest appearance from Sparrow on the title track.[3]
He died in New York on 12 April 2015, aged 80, after suffering a heart attack.[1] He was survived by 11 children, 28 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.[2]
Discographyedit
Lord Tokyo Sings To The Nightengale: Calypso Harmonies (1978), Caribana
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All (1998)
De Pumping Man (2000)
Referencesedit
^ abcde"Lord Tokyo Dies", The Sun (Dominica), 13 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2016
^ abcd"OBITUARY: Hayden “Lord Tokyo” Desiree", dominicanewsinline.com, 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2016
^ abcdefgThompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN0-87930-655-6, p. 155
^Henry, Steinberg (2011) An Unassuming Love: Black Memory, A Traveloguer, and Cricket, ISBN978-1462883967, p. 20
April 12, 2024
lord, tokyo, hayden, desiree, june, 1934, april, 2015, better, known, named, after, capital, city, japan, sometimes, doctor, tokes, most, prominent, dominiquais, calypsonians, first, solo, artist, release, dominiquais, produced, record, island, calypso, king, . Hayden Desiree 20 June 1934 12 April 2015 better known as Lord Tokyo named after the capital city of Japan and sometimes as Doctor Tokes 1 was one of the most prominent Dominiquais calypsonians He was the first solo artist to release a Dominiquais produced record won the island s Calypso King title and wrote a winner of the Road March contest Lord TokyoBirth nameHayden DesireeBorn 1934 06 20 20 June 1934Loubiere DominicaDied12 April 2015 2015 04 12 aged 80 New York United StatesGenresCalypsoOccupation s CalypsonianYears active1960s 2015Career editBorn in Loubiere in 1934 Tokyo worked as a taxi driver before finding success as a calypsonian 2 He married Clemencia Desabaye on 26 May 1962 2 Tokyo won Grandbay South Monarch crowns in 1965 and 1966 and in 1966 won the national Calypso Monarch title with To Hell with the Judges and Dr Tokes 1 He made history in 1967 when shortly after the debut release by the Swingin Stars Orchestra he became the first solo artist on the island to release a locally made record with the single De Man Doing de Pumpin 3 In 1969 he won the Calypso King of Dominica title and the following year his composition Tennis Shoe Scandal won the Road March 1 2 3 In the early 1970s he began a collaboration with Trinidadian Lord Shorty and lyricist Chris Seraphine combining calypso cadence and Creole patois to give the music a new flavour 3 Their partnership produced the hit Ou Dee Moin Ou Petit Shorty and their innovation led to the development of soca 1 3 4 Tokyo spent much of his career in the US where he also worked as a security guard Canada and the UK recording his debut album in the latter in 1978 3 He became good friends with Mighty Sparrow and went on to work with Sparrow s band in the 1997 recording a new version of his Road March winner Tennis Shoe Scandal following it with the album Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All in 1998 3 De Pumping Man followed in 2000 featuring a guest appearance from Sparrow on the title track 3 He died in New York on 12 April 2015 aged 80 after suffering a heart attack 1 He was survived by 11 children 28 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren 2 Discography editLord Tokyo Sings To The Nightengale Calypso Harmonies 1978 Caribana Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All 1998 De Pumping Man 2000 References edit a b c d e Lord Tokyo Dies The Sun Dominica 13 April 2015 Retrieved 2 May 2016 a b c d OBITUARY Hayden Lord Tokyo Desiree dominicanewsinline com 22 April 2015 Retrieved 2 May 2016 a b c d e f g Thompson Dave 2002 Reggae amp Caribbean Music Backbeat Books ISBN 0 87930 655 6 p 155 Henry Steinberg 2011 An Unassuming Love Black Memory A Traveloguer and Cricket ISBN 978 1462883967 p 20 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lord Tokyo amp oldid 1183850370, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
