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Key Information

Kentrick Randolph Patrick OD (21 August 1935 – 30 June 2023), known professionally as Lord Creator, was a Trinidadian calypso, R&B, ska, and rocksteady musician and singer. Alongside Cuban-born Roland Alphonso, Barbadian Jackie Opel and fellow Trinidadians Lynn Taitt and Lord Brynner, Lord Creator was an important and positive "outside" influence during the early development of the Jamaican music scene.[1]

Life and career

[edit]

Kentrick Patrick was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago on 21 August 1935.[2][3][4][5]

Patrick started as a calypso singer in Trinidad under the stage name Lord Creator and recorded his first hits, "The Cockhead"[6] and "Evening News",[7] in Trinidad in 1958 and 1959, respectively, with Fitz Vaughan Bryan's big band.[5] Due to the success of his hit "Evening News", which was released in Trinidad on the Cook label and also in the UK on the Melodisc label, he moved to Jamaica in late 1959 to perform and record and decided to settle there.[5] In 1962, he recorded "Independent Jamaica" with producer Vincent "Randy" Chin,[8][9] which became the official song marking Jamaica's independence from the United Kingdom's British Empire on 6 August 1962 after 307 years. That song was also the first record on Chris Blackwell's newly founded Island Records label in the United Kingdom (Island 001). In 1963, "Don't Stay Out Late", produced by Chin, became a hit in Jamaica.

In 1964, he had a further hit with "Big Bamboo", produced by Coxsone Dodd with Tommy McCook on saxophone. After "Little Princess" in 1964, he recorded a calypso album, Jamaica Time, at Studio One. It included calypso classics like "Jamaica Farewell" and "Yellowbird", as well as a cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind". His next album, Big Bamboo, was recorded at Dynamic Studios sometime after 1969, when the studio was established by Byron Lee. Carlton Lee is listed as the producer.

Lord Creator had another big hit with "Kingston Town", a tune he recorded for producer Clancy Eccles in 1970.[8] After that, Lord Creator virtually disappeared from the music industry; although in 1976, he still recorded "Big Pussy Sally", a no-holding-back, free-spirited song which was done on the same tape as Fay Bennett's equally lewd and light-hearted "Big Cocky Wally" for Lee 'Scratch' Perry in the Black Ark studio. Both songs were released on two separate Island Records singles in the UK, both on the B-side accompanied by two different Upsetters dubs. In 1978 Creator returned to the Black Ark to re-record his in 1968 in Randy's studio recorded, Vincent Chin produced song, "Such is Life".[citation needed]

Lord Creator returned to Trinidad and Tobago after suffering two strokes.[8]

In 1989, the British band UB40 recorded a cover version of "Kingston Town", which helped to revive Lord Creator's career.[8] He appeared in oldies shows in Jamaica, and toured Japan.[citation needed]

Following the success of the UB40 cover, Patrick returned to Jamaica, living in Montego Bay.[8] As of August 2020 Patrick resided in Hanover Parish.[10] In 2022 he was the recipient of Jamaica's Order of Distinction (Officer).[11]

Lord Creator died on 30 June 2023, at the age of 87.[12]

References

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Lord Creator

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Lord Creator (Kentrick Patrick; 21 August 1935 – 30 June 2023) was a Trinidadian-born who achieved prominence in calypso, , and music after relocating to . Born in San Fernando, Trinidad, Patrick adopted the stage name Lord Creator early in his career as a , recording in Trinidad before moving to in the late , where he adapted to the burgeoning local music scene. His breakthrough in came with the 1959 hit "Evening News," backed by a , followed by "Don't Stay Out Late," establishing him as a key figure in the transition from calypso to rhythm and blues-influenced styles. Lord Creator's most enduring contributions include "Independent Jamaica," recorded in 1962 with the Jamaica Military Band to commemorate the island's independence from Britain, which became an unofficial anthem despite his Trinidadian origins. His 1963 song "Kingston Town" later gained international fame through UB40's 1990 cover, which topped charts in the UK and elsewhere, reviving interest in his original work. In recognition of his influence on Jamaican music, he received the Order of Distinction (Officer class) from the Jamaican government in 2022. He resided in Jamaica for decades, performing in oldies revivals and touring internationally until health issues in later years.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing in Trinidad

Kentrick Randolph Patrick, professionally known as Lord Creator, was born on August 21, 1935, in San Fernando, the industrial southern city of . He grew up in a working-class family, with his father, MacDonald Patrick, employed in the local oilfields, and his mother, Enid (née McDougall), serving as a . San Fernando's environment, marked by oil industry labor and proximity to Trinidad's traditions, provided an early backdrop of economic hardship intertwined with cultural vibrancy. Patrick received his education at a Wesleyan Methodist school in San Fernando, under influence, which reflected the colonial-era schooling common in working-class Trinidadian communities. In his early teens, he entered the workforce on local building sites, engaging in manual labor while beginning to sing informally amid the daily toil. This period exposed him to Trinidad's calypso culture, characterized by tent performances where singers honed satirical and narrative songs during the pre-Carnival season. His formative influences included prominent Trinidadian calypsonians such as Lord Kitchener, whose commanding presence in the tents and processions exemplified the genre's and rhythmic innovation, alongside American crooners like , blending international styles with local traditions. These elements shaped Patrick's initial affinity for calypso, rooted in San Fernando's tent scene and the island's annual , where working-class youth like him absorbed the music's improvisational energy and community role.

Initial Musical Exposure

Kentrick Patrick, who adopted the stage name Lord Creator, began his musical journey in Trinidad during the 1950s by performing in calypso tents, the traditional venues where aspiring calypsonians practiced and showcased their skills alongside established figures such as Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow. These tent performances, held in makeshift or dedicated spaces, allowed performers to refine their delivery through live audience interaction, fostering a style rooted in calypso's oral tradition of and audience engagement. Lord Creator's vocal approach emerged from immersion in this environment, emphasizing rhythmic phrasing and melodic inflection to convey narrative tales laced with social observation and wit, hallmarks of Trinidadian calypso that prioritized lyrical content over formal training. His self-developed techniques focused on clear enunciation and tonal variation to highlight storytelling elements, often drawing from everyday Trinidadian life without reliance on structured musical education. Prior to 1959, his appearances in Trinidadian clubs and events centered on innuendo-heavy compositions, such as early recordings like "The Cockhead," which exemplified calypso's tradition of double entendres and humorous commentary but failed to yield commercial breakthroughs despite sessions with local ensembles including the Fitz-Vaughn Bryan Orchestra. These efforts, conducted amid the competitive yet communal calypso scene, honed a performance persona geared toward entertainment through , though widespread recognition eluded him in his homeland.

Career Foundations

Calypso Beginnings in Trinidad

Lord Creator debuted in the calypso scene with his 1958 single "The Cockhead," a novelty track that garnered positive reception in Trinidad for its humorous tone. This recording, produced locally, exemplified early calypso's penchant for light-hearted on everyday absurdities, aligning with the genre's of witty commentary. The following year, he released "Evening News," a calypso number addressing social themes such as a barefoot child's struggle to sell unread newspapers, reflecting calypso's role in critiquing local hardships. These tracks were backed by the Fitz Vaughan Bryan Orchestra, a prominent Trinidad ensemble known for supporting calypsonians in the 1950s. Despite initial acclaim, Lord Creator's output faced challenges in Trinidad's saturated calypso market, dominated by established figures like , who had risen to prominence by the late 1950s with road march wins at . Surviving recordings from this period reveal syncopated rhythms and offbeat accents inherent to Trinidadian calypso, elements empirically linked to proto-ska developments through shared musical migrations. Commercial limitations, including competition from tent performers and limited recording infrastructure, constrained broader breakthrough, as calypso success often hinged on annual tents rather than sustained sales. This environment, coupled with modest hit traction, incentivized exploration of regional opportunities beyond Trinidad's entrenched hierarchy.

Migration to Jamaica and Adaptation

In the late 1950s, Lord Creator relocated from Trinidad to , primarily to pursue performance and recording opportunities in the island's rapidly expanding , which was transitioning from toward more urbanized rhythms influenced by American R&B. This move followed his established calypso career in Trinidad, where local prospects had plateaued relative to Jamaica's post-war economic and cultural vibrancy, including radio broadcasts importing New Orleans sounds that spurred local innovation. He arrived around late 1959, aligning with the nascent commercial recording scene led by producers like Vincent "Randy" Chin, and decided to settle permanently, forgoing return to Trinidad amid the promise of steady work. Adapting to Jamaica required shifting from Trinidad's tent-based calypso competitions and steelpan accompaniment to the island's acoustic mento ensembles and horn sections, which emphasized upbeat tempos and call-and-response vocals suited to dancehalls. Lord Creator integrated by collaborating with local big bands and studios, blending his smooth calypso phrasing with R&B horn riffs and proto-ska offbeats, though this entailed professional hurdles such as navigating producer-driven sessions that prioritized lyrics over his Trini dialect. Cultural differences, including 's rural-urban divide and independence fervor, further demanded recalibrating his repertoire from satire to themes resonant with local audiences, fostering a hybrid style that bridged traditions without fully abandoning his origins. By the early 1960s, he had begun releasing singles in , marking his pivot through affiliations with labels like Randy's and Studio One, where he honed a versatile approach amid competition from homegrown talents. This period of experimentation solidified his presence, as economic incentives—higher gig fees and export potential—outweighed initial dislocations, enabling sustained output in an environment where calypso artists from Trinidad were rare but valued for injecting fresh dynamics into the evolving sound.

Musical Evolution

Transition to Ska and Rocksteady

In the early 1960s, Lord Creator shifted from Trinidadian calypso to Jamaica's genre, incorporating its characteristic offbeat guitar skank and brass accents while retaining his smooth, narrative vocal style. This adaptation began with recordings for producer Vincent "Randy" Chin, including the 1962 single "Independent Jamaica," released on as its inaugural output, which marked the nation's from Britain on August 6, 1962, and topped local charts. Other singles from this period, such as "Don't Stay Out Late" (1962) and "Man to Man" on Randy's label, demonstrated the rhythmic that energized Jamaican sound systems and youth audiences. By 1963–1964, collaborations extended to producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One, yielding hits like "King and Queen" (also known as "Babylon"), backed by , and "Big Bamboo" (1964), featuring Tommy McCook's saxophone solo. These tracks numbered among approximately a dozen releases in 1962–1964, blending Lord Creator's calypso phrasing with 's uptempo pulse to appeal to post-independence celebratory moods and expand beyond calypso's niche. The mid-1960s saw evolve into around 1966, with tempos slowing from roughly 140–160 beats per minute to 120–140, prioritizing steady bass, drum "one drop" patterns, and vocal prominence over horn-driven energy—a change verifiable in Jamaican discographies showing reduced complexity. Lord Creator adopted this in recordings like "Evening " (1965, transitional ska-rocksteady) and Studio One sessions for the Time (circa 1966), where subdued rhythms highlighted lyrical introspection, enabling his to drive broader radio play and emotional resonance among listeners favoring melodic expression over dance frenzy.

Key Recordings and Hits

Lord Creator's transition to Jamaican music in the mid-1960s yielded several notable singles and an album that adapted his calypso roots to and rhythms, primarily under producer at Studio One. His recording "Evening News," released circa 1964 on the Studio One label, became a significant local hit, depicting street life through a of a newsboy's struggles and marking his early adaptation of calypso storytelling to instrumentation. This track exemplified the causal bridge between Trinidadian calypso phrasing and Jamaican uptempo beats, as Dodd's session musicians provided the rhythmic backbone that propelled its popularity in Kingston sound systems. Another key 1964 release, "Little Princess," also on Studio One, showcased Lord Creator's vocal style over rocksteady-leaning arrangements, contributing to his establishment in the Jamaican scene following the success of "Evening News." That same year, he recorded the album for Studio One, featuring calypso standards like "" and "Big Bamboo" alongside originals such as "Bad Lucky," which blended traditional elements with emerging grooves to appeal to local audiences. The album's production highlighted cross-genre experimentation, with Dodd's engineering emphasizing bass and horn sections that facilitated calypso's melodic lines within Jamaica's nascent framework. By 1970, Lord Creator released "Kingston Town" on Clancy Eccles' Clandisc label, a reggae-inflected single praising the vibrancy of Jamaica's capital, which gained traction in local markets despite not topping formal charts—Jamaican hits of the era were gauged via radio airplay and sound system demand rather than published rankings. These recordings, particularly the Studio One output, underscored his role in fusing calypso's narrative depth with 's energetic pulse, evidenced by collaborations with Dodd's house band that influenced subsequent hybrid styles in Jamaican music. No comprehensive national charts existed for ska singles, but anecdotal reports from producers and obituarial accounts confirm "Evening " and "Little Princess" as commercial standouts in Kingston during 1964-1965.

Later Career and Recognition

Sustained Output and International Exposure

In , Lord Creator released the album Pepper Pot Calypso Songs Me Mama Never Taught Me, a collection of calypso tracks featuring explicit themes such as "Wreck A Pum Pum," which avoided mainstream and highlighted his return to provocative calypso roots amid Jamaica's evolving music scene. This output demonstrated continuity in his stylistic experimentation beyond early and phases. Throughout the 1970s, Lord Creator maintained sporadic recording activity, including the 1970 single "Kingston Town" on Clancy Eccles' Clan Disc label and two 45s produced by in 1976–1977, such as "Such is Life," reflecting intermittent engagement with producers while prioritizing live performances in . Releases tapered in the but saw revival in the late 1980s when UB40's 1989 cover of "Kingston Town" on their album achieved international success, selling over 2 million copies in the UK as a single in 1990 and reintroducing his work to global audiences. This led to limited tours in the UK and during the 1990s, alongside appearances at festivals in Europe, Japan, and the US, sustaining his presence in revivals without full-scale commercial resurgence. Lord Creator's enduring contributions were formally recognized in 2022 with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) from the Jamaican government, awarded on National Heroes Day for his role in developing Jamaican , affirming his late-career relevance up to his passing in 2023.

Legacy Through Covers and Influence

UB40's 1989 cover of Lord Creator's 1970 song "Kingston Town," featured on the album Labour of Love II, achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and later earning platinum certification from the for over 600,000 units sold in the UK. This rendition introduced Lord Creator's work to broader international audiences, as the original had remained largely confined to Jamaican and markets despite its local popularity. The cover's chart performance and sales underscore empirical metrics of influence, with the track's melodic structure and themes of urban life resonating in the reggae-pop fusion appealing to listeners. Other recordings by Lord Creator, such as "Don't Stay Out Late" from 1962, have seen niche covers by artists like , preserving elements like offbeat guitar skanks and horn accents in contemporary interpretations. These adaptations highlight stylistic borrowings in later and scenes, where his calypso-to- transition contributed to genre evolution without originating core Jamaican innovations. Music histories note his role as an external Trinidadian influence aiding early development through positive lyrical contrasts to more aggressive contemporaries, though direct causal attributions to 1970s-1980s revivalists like Two Tone bands rely on broader genre precedents rather than specific track analyses. Lord Creator's limited mainstream penetration outside during the 1960s, despite prolific output and regional hits, aligns with market dynamics favoring derivatives over pure until reggae's export boom, rather than talent deficits or promotional shortcomings. Claims of pioneering status often exceed verifiable data, as his enduring impact manifests more through posthumous covers amplifying originals than contemporaneous global metrics, emphasizing covers as a proxy for latent influence amid era-specific audience constraints.

Personal Life and Death

Family and Private Life

Lord Creator, born Kentrick Randolph Patrick in , maintained limited public disclosure regarding his early family ties, which spanned both Trinidadian origins and Jamaican connections following his migration. He fathered 15 children from multiple relationships, reflecting a complex personal history across his residences in the . In , his adopted home, he formed a long-term partnership with Neseline, whom he met locally and married in 2000 after approximately eight years together; the union lasted over two decades. The couple resided in , where he adopted a low-profile lifestyle post-peak career, centered on family and community without notable public controversies or scandals. Personal challenges, when referenced in accounts, pertained mainly to matters rather than relational or ethical issues.

Final Years and Passing

In his final years, Lord Creator, born Kentrick Randolph Patrick on August 21, 1935, experienced significant health deterioration stemming from multiple chronic conditions. He had suffered a series of strokes, with the most recent in 2005, alongside issues, , high , and complications from back . In December 2022, he was hospitalized for two weeks due to breathing difficulties. These ailments progressively limited his mobility, rendering him unable to walk by 2019. Patrick died on June 30, 2023, at his home in Golden Grove, , , at the age of 87, reportedly from complications related to a , though some accounts describe the cause as undisclosed. He passed peacefully at home, aligning with his expressed wishes. A thanksgiving service was held on July 30, 2023, at the Prosper in , followed by his interment at the family property in Golden Grove. Posthumous recognition remained confined primarily to obituaries in music publications and Jamaican media, with no documented public controversies or disputes over his estate.

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/12/lord-creator-obituary
  2. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/lord-creator-obituary-d7v23m6gn
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lord-creator-mn0000230784
  4. https://www.last.fm/music/Lord%2BCreator/%2Bwiki
  5. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/08/07/lord-creator-laid-to-rest-in-hanover/
  6. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2020/08/05/lord-creators-independence-gift/
  7. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20221023/lord-creator-elated-be-honoured-long-adopted-home
  8. https://wiredja.com/index.php/entertainment-news/jamaica-musician-lord-creator-is-dead-at-87
  9. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20180826/music-diaries-lord-creator-trinidadian-turned-jamaican
  10. http://www.bestoftrinidad.com/calypso/creator.html
  11. https://www.pressreader.com/jamaica/jamaica-gleaner/20180826/282553019099601
  12. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2023/07/12/lord-creator-pioneer-calypso-ska-and-rocksteady-obituary/
  13. https://socanews.com/news/the-rollercoaster-life-of-calypsonian-lord-creator-reaches-its-end/
  14. https://clintonlindsay.com/2012/06/24/trinidadian-lord-creator-arrived-in-time-for-jamaicas-independence-and-took-the-spotlight/
  15. https://thecaribbeancamera.com/lord-creator-original-kingston-town-singer-dead-at-87/
  16. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20191229/vintage-voices-beginning-end
  17. https://lord-creator0h.bandcamp.com/album/man-to-man
  18. https://www.discogs.com/artist/386860-Lord-Creator
  19. https://www.discogs.com/master/407495-Lord-Creator-Evening-News-Good-For-Creator
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/4819009-Lord-Creator-Jamaica-Time
  21. https://www.reggaerecord.com/en/catalog/description.php?code=2668
  22. https://www.discogs.com/release/28686547-Lord-Creator-Kingston-Town
  23. https://www.discogs.com/master/585643-Lord-Creator-Pepper-Pot-Calypso-Songs-Me-Mama-Never-Taught-Me-Wreck-A-Pum-Pum
  24. https://www.dancehallmag.com/2023/03/20/news/ub40s-cover-of-lord-creators-kingston-town-certified-platinum-in-the-uk.html
  25. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eReSqP2jUA
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAXzLCSP5Lc
  27. https://www.dancehallmag.com/2023/06/30/news/lord-creator-original-kingston-town-singer-dead-at-87.html
  28. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20230724/thanksgiving-service-lord-creator-july-30
  29. https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2023/06/30/lord-creator-off-to-heavenly-home/
  30. https://sflcn.com/legendary-trinidadian-singer-lord-creator-dead-at-age-87/
  31. https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20230703/lord-creator-died-home-just-he-wanted
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