• Latest
“Groove’’ is Calypso’s best chance of going international like Reggae

Lincoln John, the Bubbler: My great friend & comrade

2 years ago
Karen Reid-Ballantyne appointed Solicitor General in Grenada

Karen Reid-Ballantyne appointed Solicitor General in Grenada

3 hours ago
Saint Lucia helps 136 stranded agricultural workers

Saint Lucia helps 136 stranded agricultural workers

4 hours ago
Regional Spiny Lobster Declaration in Review

Closed season: Sea egg and turtles 1 April; Lobster 1 May

4 hours ago
Claims of coronavirus at SGU designed to create fear and panic

Covid-19 update: Grenada Dashboard 11 April

20 hours ago

NAWASA statement on water quality concerns

1 day ago
Grenada affected by volcanic ash particles and Saharan dust

Grenada affected by volcanic ash particles and Saharan dust

1 day ago
Ambassador of Grenada presents copies of letters of credence to Kazakhstan

Ambassador of Grenada presents copies of letters of credence to Kazakhstan

1 day ago
Nurse who swapped Caribbean for a Covid ward

Nurse who swapped Caribbean for a Covid ward

1 day ago
For Jewish medical students in Grenada, a new home away from home

For Jewish medical students in Grenada, a new home away from home

1 day ago
Appointment of GEF Executive Director

Appointment of GEF Executive Director

1 day ago
National Cleanup Begins Friday

Urgent call for water and other supplies for St Vincent

1 day ago
Government says “no physical altercation” between journalist and junior minister

Grenada actively engaged in preparations to receive evacuees

3 days ago
NOW Grenada

Main Header Ad 468x60

booked.net
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
NOW Grenada
No Result
View All Result

Article Header

Lincoln John, the Bubbler: My great friend & comrade

This story was posted 2 years ago
16 July 2019
in Arts/Culture/Entertainment, OPINION/COMMENTARY
2 min. read
Arley Gill
Share

by Arley Gill

We got to know each other personally in 1992 or thereabouts. We were both students at the University of the West Indies, Extramural Centre, at Marryshow House. I started pursuing my law degree and he was doing something along the lines of economics.

In those days at the Extramural Centre, transportation after 6 pm was far more unreliable then than it is now. So, when I had late classes – and Bubbler likewise – I would hitch a lift with him, as we both were going up the west coast.

On those rides, we used to discuss and have debates on most issues – from culture and calypso, to politics and international affairs. Our talk was always issue-based, very little “ole’’ talk. Oftentimes, when I reached my destination we would continue the discussions. “Bubble’’ as I affectionately called him, would stop and turn off the engine and our verbal exchange continued.

When the carnival season approached, he would run his ideas by me; later, there would be the demos and early recordings. At the time he drove this blue car; cannot remember the brand or model now.

Bubbler came to prominence from the first year he sang calypso. It was a classic song called, “Put a Hand for the Calypsonian’’. The nation took notice from that year and onwards, and Bubbler continued to make strides in the calypso world. He would have made the Calypso Monarch semifinals on many occasions and the finals too.

Bubbler gave us hits like “Calypso at Any Cost’’; “Chester Humphrey in Charge’’; “In Your Face’’; “Put the Cork on the Bottle’’; “Survival’’; “Meism’’, and many more. I had the opportunity to get an early listen to quite a few of the songs.

Bubbler’s contribution did not stop at just singing. For many years after Praying Mantis left the scene, Bubbler took up the mantle of keeping a calypso tent in the cultural parish of St Patrick. I was privy to the struggle to get a band together; instruments and players. Finding vehicles to transport the band and just the share struggle to keep a tradition alive. Bubbler did that until ill-health wouldn’t permit him the physical strength to do so. Even then, in our exchanges, he would muse about calypso and the tent. That was Bubbler. He was a calypsonian to heart.

Bubbler made a significant contribution to the calypso art form in Grenada through his music and also his leadership at keeping a tent going. I know he made great personal sacrifices. He was able to overcome a speaking impediment to sing for us. We will never forget his little dance and stage antics. He was passionate about the culture. A true culture man!

Rest In Peace, mi brother! God’s speed.

NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by contributors. In case of abuse, click here to report.

Tags: arley gillbubblercalypsolincoln john
Next Post
Several Persons Arrested and Charged For Setting Fire Without a Licence

Ministry of Agriculture reminds the public a licence must be obtained to burn on agricultural lands

Comment on story Cancel reply

Please enter your valid email address.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Home Sidebar NP 300x250

© NOW Grenada. All Rights Reserved. Published by Aqua Design Inc. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Front Page
  • Categories
    • General News
      • All
      • Agriculture & Fisheries
      • Arts & Culture
      • Business
      • Education
      • Environment
      • Health
      • History
      • Lifestyle
      • Law
      • Politics
      • Technology
      • Travel & Tourism
      • Weather
      • Youth
    • Sports
      • All
      • Athletics
      • Cricket
      • Football
      • Watersports
    • Community
      • All
      • Tribute
    • Crime
    • Features
      • All
      • Today in History
    • Opinion/Commentary
    • Press Releases
      • All
      • Advertisements
      • Notices
  • Video
  • Notices & Vacancies
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us

Copyright NOW Grenada

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

NOW Grenada
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Visit our Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.