Mento/Calypso Thursdays: Lord Flea & his Calypsonians

Lord Flea & his Calypsonians


Norman Byfield Thomas (1931/32 or 1933/34  – 18 May 1959)

Lord Flea and his Calypsonians helped to increase the popularity of Calypso in the US throughout the 1950's. His music has been covered by Harry Belafonte and others. He died at the peak of his fame in 1959 at the disputed age of 25 or 27. Please take a listen here and Happy Mento/ Calypso Thursday: Calypso Be Bop, Donkey bray, Naughty little flea,, Pretty woman, Mister give me my rent, Monkey and Shake Shake Sonora

Movies: Calypso Joe and Bop girl goes Calypso

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Flea

Background Information
Birth name	Norman Byfield Thomas
Born	1931/32 or 1933/34 Kingston, Jamaica
Died	18 May 1959 (age 25–27) Miami, Florida, US
Genres	Mento, calypso
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1949–1959
Labels	Calypsodisc, Times, Capitol

Background Information
Band name	Lord Flea and His Calypsonians
Members:  Lord Flea - leader, singer and guitarist Porkchops - banjo Count Spoon - drums and spoons Prince Charles - timbali and tumba percussion Lord Largie - timbali and tumba percussion Fish Ray - washtub base Also known as:  Blue Mountain Caroleers and The Jamaican Calypsonians
Labels	Calypsodisc, Times, Capitol