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Interviews at Mighty Terror's Funeral
TriniSoca.com Reporters
Event Date: March 19, 2007
 | | | Mighty Terror | |
On March 14, 2007, Mr. Fitzgerald Cornelius 'Mighty Terror' Henry, popularly known as 'The Golden Voice' died at the age of eighty-six after a prolonged battle with cancer. Funeral services for Mr. Henry were held on the 19th March, 2007, at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Port of Spain thence to the St. James Crematorium where his body was cremated.
TriniSoca.com interviewed some of Trinidad and Tobago's renowned Calypsonians, Mas people and musicians who were gathered at Mr. Henry's funeral to commemorate his many achievements and contributions to the art form. These are their testimonies:
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Yafei 'Rootsman' Osei
 | | | Yafei 'Rootsman' Osei | |
To me, the 'Golden Voice' Terror was truly a piece of Trinidadian treasure who gave us some memorable hits. He was one of those outstanding artistes who was gifted with a voice and the talent to compose great songs. His passing is sad and now he is no longer here with us. One of the songs I liked was "Pan Talent". It was a very special song because of the melodic structure. He used his great talent to exalt the Steelband and other great cultural pieces. To me, that was his special song and it touches a special chord in my system. I would like to quote from one of my songs. "Live nice, because we are here today and gone tomorrow. While we are here, we have to make the difference. We have to appreciate the time, God and people."
Makandal Daaga
 | | | Makandal Daaga | |
It is a very sad occasion for the country. I think we have lost another icon. This is not very good for Kaiso at this point. 'The Golden Voice' has left a mark in this society that we all have to live up to. I do hope that the young people recognize what they have lost and in some way try to recompense his departure. Peculiarly enough, two of his songs that stood out for me were "Pan Talent" and "Calaloo".
Theophilus 'One Man Band' Noel
 | | | Theophilus Noel | |
I cannot find the right words to describe the man I used to know whom I considered a personal friend. He had one of the sweetest voices in the business. I had the opportunity to work behind him as a musician and also to socialize with him as a friend.
There is so much that I can say about him but it will probably take forever. I am going to really miss that old man. He was unique.
When I was a young fella I used to always hear about Terror. When I did meet him, we met each other in anger and we became friends. I am going to miss him.
When he was sick I visited him. I threw a benefit concert for him at the Mas Camp Pub but it was not as successful as it should have been. It was to help raise funds for him. He was bedridden at the time.
Some of his songs I really liked were, "Fig Man", "Sugar for Pan", "Pan Talent" and "Chinese Children". Every song that man did caught me. To me he never made a bad song. He was always creative compared to what we are calling talent now. Nobody is taking their time to sit down and put lines together. The vulgarity in the songs is not surfaced. He left them to your imagination. That was how 'classy smutty' he was when it came down to that. If anybody wants to be a Calypsonian, be true to the art form. If they are thinking about getting into the fray, it is a lot of hard work. You are going to get some rejection. When you fall, get up and go again. Put melody and music together. Always make sure you have a melody. When you have a beautiful melody lyrics just flow.
Lewis 'Santa' Williams
 | | | Lewis Williams | |
I do not have much to say on Terror because of the age range. He was really a nice guy and always jovial.
His passing is a great loss to the Calypso fraternity. One of his songs I really liked was "Pan Talent". May he rest in peace.
Clifton 'Calypso Prince' De Labastide
 | | | Clifton De Labastide | |
Terror and I knew each other but we were not very close. There were no bad experiences between us or anything like that. His music was very good. Plenty of his songs stood out for me, songs like "Why I Come Back Here", "Pan Talent" and many more. When I was leaving home my mind was on "Sugar for Pan". I know that all of us have to go. His time had come and I am glad he lived to eighty-six. I find that was very good. Terror and I used to celebrate our birthdays which was nice. We were eleven days apart. I am the 2nd of January and he was the 13th. We used to call each other and so on.
Errol Ince
 | | | Errol Ince | |
I was very fortunate to record with Terror on my return visit to Trinidad around 1966 with "Pan Talent". That recording he did was very good. The last time I worked with him was at Kaiso House. I played the band chorus. When he started to sing, it was like Frank Sinatra and that kind of shocked me. I didn't realize he was that good. I think it is a great loss we are going through right now. I love him dearly. His song "Pan Talent" was one of the songs I recorded. All his songs were great. I hope where he is going he will be at peace.
James W. 'Mighty Durango' Samuel
 | | | James Samuel | |
I was born in St. Lucia and I came here in 1958. I used to love hearing Terror's songs in St. Lucia. All the Calypsonians like 'Lord Kitchener', 'Atilla the Hun' and 'Lion' were the brothers who brought the Kaiso to the heights. I believe men like 'Terror', 'Kitchener', the 'Mighty Sparrow' and 'Blakie' really influenced me to sing Kaiso. I believe it is a joy to be here this morning to attend the occasion of Terror's passing away. I do not consider it a sorrowful time because it is a joy to see so many Calypsonian brothers standing up outside here this morning at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral. 'Cro Cro' picked me to sing in the Icon Tent and I completed the Calypso season with him. He is one of the Calypsonians I love as a great brother. He is the 2007 Calypso Monarch from the Icon Tent.
Continue ...
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The Mighty Terror is Remembered
By TriniSoca.com Reporters : March 21, 2007
Eulogy for Fitzgerald Henry aka 'Mighty Terror'
By Alvin C. Daniell : March 21, 2007
Remembering the Mighty Terror in pictures:
www.trinisoca.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=68441
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