KING SHORT SHIRT
Biography: From AntiguaCarnival.com
McLean Emmanuel better known as "Short Shirt" was born on 28th February, 1942. He first entered the calypso competition in Antigua in 1962 and was not successful in passing the eliminations. He returned with a vengeance in 1963, by claiming the 2nd runner up position. Short Shirt's first big hit "Parasites" was released in that same year.
Short Shirt first captured the crown in 1964 with his songs "No Place Like Home" and "Heritage." A new era in Antigua's calypso had indeed begun. Blessed with power, diction and clarity, Short Shirt had no equals. In 1964 he termed himself as the "Cassius Clay" of Calypso - and promised to wear the calypso crown for ten uninterrupted years!
In 1961 an artist who was to become one of Short Shirt's greatest rivals - Rupert Philo, also known as "King Swallow" entered the competition for the first time. Short Shirt hails from the urban Point ghetto, while Swallow hails from rural Antigua - Willikies to be exact. The rural conflict and the separation of support fueled the rivalry between these two calypsonians. This rivalry became one of the most intense and productive rivalries in calypso that lasted from 1972 to the mid-80's.
Short Shirt ruled supreme, winning the crown 15 times (more than any other calypsonian, in Antigua or else where) during the 33 years he either competeted or simply produced an album for Antigua's summer festival.
The influence this extraordinary calypsonian had on the calypso landscape in Antigua and Barbuda, and indeed the Caribbean was tremendous. In 1976, his hit song "Tourist Leggo" created tremendous waves on the streets in Trinidad during their annual carnival. It is alleged that all the bands were playing his tune until they approached the judging points, when they promptly changed to Kitchener's "Flag Woman" which eventually won the Road March.
Short Shirt is one of four calypsonians to have won 'hat trick' crowns in Antigua. The others are King Obstinate (1981 - 1983), King Smarty Jr. (1993 - 1995), and King Onyan (1997 - 1999). Short Shirt however, distinguishes himself from these 'ordinary' monarchs; he has won three hat trick crowns: (1964 - 1966, 1974 - 1976 and 1986 - 1988). Swallow though, is the only calypsonian to have won three crowns in one year. In 1973, he won the Local, Caribbean and Road March crowns.
Among his many hits are "Hands off of Harmonites", "Beatles MBE", "Martin Luther King", "Heart Transplant", "Viv Richards", "This Land", "AIDS", "Run Shorty Run", and "Lamentation" - said to be his biggest hit ever.
Among the many persons behind Short Shirt's phenomenal success in calypso are Marcus Christopher, Shelly Tobitt, Lesroy Merchant, Art Decoteau and Stanley Humphreys.
In 1974, Short Shirt won the Road March title for the first time with his monster hit "Lucinda". After losing to his rival Swallow in 1975, he stormed back in 1976 with "Tourist Leggo" which was not only a hit in Antigua, but as mentioned previously, also a hit in the rest of the Caribbean. Short Shirt won the Road March title in Antigua a total of seven times including a hat trick (1978 - 1980).
His 1976 album, "Ghetto Vibes" which featured his own band (Ghetto Vibes), is still considered to be his best album, as well as being one of the 'best' calypso albums ever produced anywhere.
In 1987, Short Shirt married his girlfriend of over twenty years (Esther Barnes), at which ceremony the entire calypsonian fraternity turned out to celebrate with one of their own in one of the most elaborate wedding Antigua has ever seen.
Short Shirt retired from the calypso arena in 1994 after more than 30 years. He is the father of ten children and no longer sings in the local competition nor produces an album for carnival. Two years ago, Short Shirt or Brother Emmanuel as he is now called, became a Christian and now sings gospel.
The Antigua Carnival Committee is pleased to recognize the tremendous contribution to our annual summer festival and to the development of calypso in Antigua made by this calypsonian extraordinaire. Our carnival is richer because of Short Shirt's vast and incomparable contribution over the many years.
Short Shirt first captured the crown in 1964 with his songs "No Place Like Home" and "Heritage." A new era in Antigua's calypso had indeed begun. Blessed with power, diction and clarity, Short Shirt had no equals. In 1964 he termed himself as the "Cassius Clay" of Calypso - and promised to wear the calypso crown for ten uninterrupted years!
In 1961 an artist who was to become one of Short Shirt's greatest rivals - Rupert Philo, also known as "King Swallow" entered the competition for the first time. Short Shirt hails from the urban Point ghetto, while Swallow hails from rural Antigua - Willikies to be exact. The rural conflict and the separation of support fueled the rivalry between these two calypsonians. This rivalry became one of the most intense and productive rivalries in calypso that lasted from 1972 to the mid-80's.
Short Shirt ruled supreme, winning the crown 15 times (more than any other calypsonian, in Antigua or else where) during the 33 years he either competeted or simply produced an album for Antigua's summer festival.
The influence this extraordinary calypsonian had on the calypso landscape in Antigua and Barbuda, and indeed the Caribbean was tremendous. In 1976, his hit song "Tourist Leggo" created tremendous waves on the streets in Trinidad during their annual carnival. It is alleged that all the bands were playing his tune until they approached the judging points, when they promptly changed to Kitchener's "Flag Woman" which eventually won the Road March.
Short Shirt is one of four calypsonians to have won 'hat trick' crowns in Antigua. The others are King Obstinate (1981 - 1983), King Smarty Jr. (1993 - 1995), and King Onyan (1997 - 1999). Short Shirt however, distinguishes himself from these 'ordinary' monarchs; he has won three hat trick crowns: (1964 - 1966, 1974 - 1976 and 1986 - 1988). Swallow though, is the only calypsonian to have won three crowns in one year. In 1973, he won the Local, Caribbean and Road March crowns.
Among his many hits are "Hands off of Harmonites", "Beatles MBE", "Martin Luther King", "Heart Transplant", "Viv Richards", "This Land", "AIDS", "Run Shorty Run", and "Lamentation" - said to be his biggest hit ever.
Among the many persons behind Short Shirt's phenomenal success in calypso are Marcus Christopher, Shelly Tobitt, Lesroy Merchant, Art Decoteau and Stanley Humphreys.
In 1974, Short Shirt won the Road March title for the first time with his monster hit "Lucinda". After losing to his rival Swallow in 1975, he stormed back in 1976 with "Tourist Leggo" which was not only a hit in Antigua, but as mentioned previously, also a hit in the rest of the Caribbean. Short Shirt won the Road March title in Antigua a total of seven times including a hat trick (1978 - 1980).
His 1976 album, "Ghetto Vibes" which featured his own band (Ghetto Vibes), is still considered to be his best album, as well as being one of the 'best' calypso albums ever produced anywhere.
In 1987, Short Shirt married his girlfriend of over twenty years (Esther Barnes), at which ceremony the entire calypsonian fraternity turned out to celebrate with one of their own in one of the most elaborate wedding Antigua has ever seen.
Short Shirt retired from the calypso arena in 1994 after more than 30 years. He is the father of ten children and no longer sings in the local competition nor produces an album for carnival. Two years ago, Short Shirt or Brother Emmanuel as he is now called, became a Christian and now sings gospel.
The Antigua Carnival Committee is pleased to recognize the tremendous contribution to our annual summer festival and to the development of calypso in Antigua made by this calypsonian extraordinaire. Our carnival is richer because of Short Shirt's vast and incomparable contribution over the many years.
