Black Stalin suffers stroke
By MARLON GREENE and VASHTEE ACHIBAR Tuesday, September 23 2014 (T&T Newsday)
CALYPSO icon Leroy ‘Black Stalin’ Calliste is resting in a stable condition after suffering a stroke on his right side, shortly after performing at a show in Couva on the weekend.Hospital authorities said Calliste was “doing very well” and “we expect a good recovery.” He suffered the stroke late Sunday night after returning home from a performance at the Couva Joylanders Panyard.
Stalin who turns 73 tomorrow, remains warded at Ward 12 of the new Teaching Hospital in San Fernando. Medical Director of the San Fernando General Hospital Dr Anand Chattergoon, confirmed that Calliste suffered a stroke to the right side of his body and said every effort is being made to make the calypso icon’s stay as comfortable as possible.
“He’s doing very well. He is eating, he is talking, I expect a good recovery. We have placed him in the new wing, the Teaching Hospital which is air conditioned, so he is very comfortable. We are doing some tests, he will need physiotherapy, but all things being equal, he shouldn’t be here too long,” Dr Chattergoon said.
Calliste’s daughter, Abeola said her father returned home at 11 pm on Sunday and was relaxing before going to bed when he suddenly began having seizures. Abeola said she called for an ambulance which arrived shortly after.
When Newsday arrived at his home yesterday morning, Calliste’s wife Patsy was preparing to return to hospital to be at his side. She said it was God’s providence that he hadn’t stayed longer at the panyard, because he drove himself home and could have had the attack while driving.
She explained how he started having cramps since last week, “but got it rubbed and was okay.”
Abeola related how the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for her father by persons.
She said her father has been asking for his grandchildren. At his hospital ward which overlooks the Gulf of Paria, Calliste greeted family members, although his speech appeared a bit slurred. His manager, Ian Small, was among those to visit with him yesterday.
Though he began singing calypso in 1959 he recorded his first album, the Caribbean Man, in 1979. The five time Calypso Monarch is popularly known for calypsoes such as “Caribbean Man”, “Bun Dem”, “Black Man Feelin to Party”and, “Tribute to Sundar Popo”. He also won the Calypso King of the World title in 1999.
Calliste was also the recipient of the Humming Bird Medal (Silver) in 1987 and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2008 from UWI, St Augustine.
President of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (TUCO) Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance) said, “our prayers are with him and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
