George Victory,
Another Cultural Soldier Leaves
By William
Doyle-Marshall
Hi Lites Combo of Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago has lost George
Victory, a sterling member who now joins the many talented cultural
contributors of the twin island Republic currently making music for Saint
Peter. Others associated with this organization that made a very good
impression on the music scene in the sixties include Jathneil (Jato) Thomas;
Bertie Fraser, Owen Lynch, John Babb, Leroy Cuffie, George Bleasdelle, Alvin
(the Bear) Vincent; Randolph Yearwood; Noel Wint, manager and William
Doyle-Marshall, assistant manager.
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| George Victory |
Though the background info
from KWest Productions on the Internet says George grew up in New York City I
recall the young man playing a phenomenal role in Hi Lites Combo as guitarist
and one of the lead singer. From my recollection, he was never afraid to try
something new. When I introduced Jato to Earl Grant’s “Winchester Cathedral”
George was there playing with his instrument in preparation for the clash at
the Arouca Community Center with Roland Daniel’s combo – a leader at the time
in the pop world. George and Thomas took the stage that night with the rest of
the team established Hi Lites as an orchestra to be respected. Since that time
George and many of us joined the band of migrants for other parts of the world.
As one who spent good time in New York City, his presence has been
unmistakable. He is known as one who has been associated with every calypso
album produced not only in New York City but the Caribbean as a whole and
Europe. He left this world as a very accomplished musician – guitarist, key
boardist, background vocalist, studio man and more. That one of Errol Ince’s
production, George’s talent shines predominantly with all the power and vigour
at his disposal.. he has left us with numnerous recordings on You Tube – Trinbago
y Home Sweet Home; Another Brick in the Wall; Papa Was a Rolling Stone; What A
Wonderful World; Redemption Song; Pan In Yuh Ras
We join George Victory’s
relatives in time of mourning. But we know George would be pleased if we cancel
the crying and moaning. So we’ll try. We are never prepared when our friends
and relatives are taken away. But God helps us. We know he has other creative
work for George with Art DeCoteau, Sel Duncan, Michael Jackson, Garfield
Blackman, Dave Deastro (the Bandit), Andre Tanker, Percy Sledge, Aldwyn (Lord
Kitchener) Roberts, Merchant, King Curtis, James Brown and so many others who
preceded him. We know you’ll rest peacefully in the orchestra of cultural achievers.
One song that George
Victory has left behind is going to be memorable for a long time especially as
one looks at the social conditions in the country of his birth. While
participating in the 1994 edition of the World Calypso Monarch contest in New
York City he sang “What have you done to my sweet and beautiful country? I
cried oh I cried for days for my sweet, sweet La Trinity.” With much regrets he
has left us and T&T has not yet found answer to his question. However we
are confident that Victory is resting with one serious thought which I am
compelled to share with you: “Whatever your problem may be I would never disown
my country. Wherever I roam, however I roam, sweet Trinbago will always be my
home, sweet home.”
It is my hope is that as
we put George Victory to rest the leaders in Trinidad and Tobago and indeed the
Caribbean would stride and find answers to the ills that are affecting the people
– crime and corruption at many levels. “Every day in the papers it’s robberies
and murders like all out war. How it makes me wonder where is the peace and
order that we had before. Oh No. No
respect, no regard for authority. They just killing every day doi doi doi but
tell them I say there will come a day they will have to pay. No. No. No. they
can’t get away.”
This is George Victory’s message which I trust will be acted upon.
It’s never too late to take action for the overall good of our country.
 |
| Wm. Doyle-Marshall |
One song that George
Victory has left behind is going to be memorable for a long time especially as
one looks at the social conditions in the country of his birth. While
participating in the 1994 edition of the World Calypso Monarch contest in New
York City he sang “What have you done to my sweet and beautiful country? I
cried oh I cried for days for my sweet, sweet La Trinity.” With much regrets he
has left us and T&T has not yet found answer to his question. However we
are confident that Victory is resting with one serious thought which I am
compelled to share with you: “Whatever your problem may be I would never disown
my country. Wherever I roam, however I roam, sweet Trinbago will always be my
home, sweet home.”
It is my hope is that as
we put George Victory to rest the leaders in Trinidad and Tobago and indeed the
Caribbean would stride and find answers to the ills that are affecting the people
– crime and corruption at many levels. “Every day in the papers it’s robberies
and murders like all out war. How it makes me wonder where is the peace and
order that we had before. Oh No. No
respect, no regard for authority. They just killing every day doi doi doi but
tell them I say there will come a day they will have to pay. No. No. No. they
can’t get away.”
This is George Victory’s message which I trust will be acted upon.
It’s never too late to take action for the overall good of our country.
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