Atilla the Hun

b. Raymond Quevedo, 24 March 1892, Trinidad, d. 22 February 1962, Trinidad. Inappropriately named after one of the most dreaded figures in history, this highly regarded calypso singer came to prominence in America during the 30s, initially with his partner Roaring Lion (alias Hubert Raphael Charles). In the pre-war years, Atilla enjoyed a certain notoriety for his topical political commentaries, which included ‘Women Will Rule The World’, ‘Roosevelt In Trinidad’ and ‘Mrs Simpson’. The subversive nature of his material ensured that some of it was blacklisted, an action that prompted the witty riposte, ‘The Banning Of Records’. A collaboration with rivals Growling Tiger and Lord Beginner (Egbert Moore) in the Keskidee Trio produced the amusing ‘Dingo Lay’ and ‘Don’t Let Your Mother Know’. During the post-war years, Atilla relocated to Port of Spain where he was active in local politics. He died in 1962.
© TiVo