Music fraternity mourns King Wellington

Trinidad and Tobago's music fraternity is mourning the death of Hawthorn "King Wellington" Quashie who passed away at the age of 86.

Born in Goodwood, Tobago, King Wellington was yesterday remembered for his immense passion for music.

In the 1950's, he came to Trinidad to further his musical ambitions. According to the Tobago House of Assembly's Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities & Transportation, he would enroll in the T&T Police Service in 1959 when someone stole his guitar.

However, in the 1960's he would turn his attention fully to music where he joined the Julius Chaloff Music School. According to a statement on the Division's Facebook page yesterday, "Convinced that calypso could re-emerge in the world stage, he developed an innovative and experimental approach, even coining the term "Russo Funk" and his creative catalogue during that era undoubtedly contributed to the evolution of calypso and soca music in Trinidad and Tobago."

The Division further highlighted some of his classical songs which included Steel & Brass, Ms. McCarthy Party, Tobago Gal, Quelvis, Take Yuh Time and the soca parang "Fire One." Read More