The 2019 Panorama competition should be dedicated to prolific composer, music arranger and legendary calypsonian Winston Scarborough, popularly known as De Original De Fosto Himself.
Making the call yesterday at De Fosto’s funeral service at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port-of-Spain, was his friend Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal as he paid tribute to the icon who passed away on November 2.
De Fosto, 64, who sang hits such as, In a Palace State of Mind, Firestorm and Pan in a Rage, died after battling heart disease which resulted in him being hospitalised several times.
As hundreds gathered to say farewell, scores of calypsonians and those in the pan fraternity spoke about DeFosto’s illustrious musical career which spanned 40 years in tribute of him.
Among them were former president Anthony Carmona, Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, Kernel Roberts, Winston “Gypsy” Peters and DeFosto’s two sons, Marvin and Gabriel Scarborough.
De Fosto’s funeral service was in total contrast to Winston “Shadow” Bailey’s funeral, as there was little celebration by mourners.
Ayoung spoke about visiting De Fosto daily at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex while he sought medical attention.
As his health deteriorated, Ayoung remembered De Fosto being told by doctors that he had four days to live.
Ayoung said he tried to cheer up De Fosto who was worried to no end.
As the clock ticked, Ayoung said, De Fosto defied death.
“He lived five months after,” Ayoung said.
When the 6.9 earthquake rocked T&T on August 21, Ayoung said, De Fosto began writing a calypso called “Earthquake” which he never completed.
He said he was willing to work with Gypsy to finish the song in his honour.
Having shared a long-standing friendship with De Fosto, Moonilal said he would always remember the ideals the calypsonian stood for, stating that he was a “true patriot” which reflected in his songs and attire.
“His void will be hard to fill.”
Moonilal called on Pan Trinbago “to look at Panorama in 2019 and make it a tribute to him (De Fosto),” stating that he was willing to work with the pan body to make this a reality in recognition of the calypsonian’s contribution to T&T.
Carmona said T&T should never forget De Fosto who was abandoned at birth and grew up at the St Mary’s Home in Tacarigua among orphans but made something of his life.
He said citizens needed to learn the capacity to forgive like De Fosto.
“He gave people hope knowing where he came from. He was the supremacy of hope,” Carmona said.
Delivering the eulogy De Fosto’s son Marvin admitted that his father was born for music.
“Our father did not do music...he was music.”
Marvin said he remembered his dad for his willingness to share the little that he had with the less fortunate.
“He came from nothing but made music a prominent force,” Marvin said.