Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ATILLA the HUN

(b Raymond Quevedo, 24 March 1892, Trinidad; d there 22 Feb. '62) Calypsonian; mother Trinidadian, father Venezuelan. Won a scholarship which would have prepared him for higher education overseas, but chose calypso instead, then regarded as disreputable. First sang in public '11. Atilla and Roaring Lion (Hubert Raphael Charles, later Rafael de Leon) were first local artists sent to NYC to record '34 by local businessman Eduardo Sa Gomes; 16 sides for Brunswick made with Gerald Clark's orchestra: Bing Crosby and Rudy Vallee attended sessions; Vallee featured Lion on his network radio show, heard in Trinidad; records shipped sold out there, but distributor got all the royalties. More followed: 'Good Will Flyers' and 'Women Will Rule The World' '35 and 'Intercolonial Tournament' '37 were issued in UK '38 on Brunswick, after WWII 'History Of Carnival' '35 and 'Roosevelt In Trinidad' '37 (the last on Decca). Suffered early from censorship: songs 'Mrs Simpson' '37, 'The Banning Of Records' '38 were rejected. Recorded in Keskidee Trio with Lord Beginner (Egbert Moore) and Growling Tiger; others. From '46 combined music with political career as City Councillor in Port of Spain, later deputy Mayor, etc; had reputation as defender of the poor, fought for recognition of calypso as folk art, also for its trad. role as poor people's newspaper. Charged '49 with infringement of the Theatre and Dance Halls Ordinance '34, accused of permitting a calypso which subjected a member of the community to ridicule to be performed in his tent: he won on a technicality. Elected '50 to Legislative Council of the colonial government, moving an amendment to the Ordinance '51: defeated, but an alternative government amendment was regarded as an improvement. Worked with John La Rose '56--8 on a history of calypso, published as Atilla's Kaiso: A Short History Of Calypso '83. Records in compilations: Calypsos From Trinidad In The 1930s '91 on Arhoolie, Calypso Pioneers 1912--1937 '89 and Calypso Breakaway 1927--1941 '90 on Rounder, History Of Carnival 1933--1939 and Trinidad Loves To Play Carnival 1914--1939 on Matchbox '93, Calypso Carnival 1936--1941 '93 on Rounder.