Kenneth St. Bernard (c. 1920s – 19 December 2002), known as Dictator or Mighty Dictator, was a Trinidadian calypso singer and musician.

By the late 1940s, St. Bernard was a prominent composer and performer of calypso songs, including "The Female Cricketer" (1948), "The Tobago Girl and the Mirror", "Negroes Keep Together" (both 1949), and "My Trip to Hollywood" (1950).[1] In 1950, the song "Last Train to San Fernando", which he performed and co-wrote, was played in the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Road March. Later recorded by The Duke of Iron, it became a skiffle hit in Britain when recorded by Johnny Duncan.[2][3] His later recordings included "Chinese Cricket Match" (1956).[4] Dictator was one of six calypso performers presented to Princess Margaret in 1956.[1]

He died in Trinidad on 19 December 2002.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Ronald C. Emrit, "Mighty Dictator", BestofTrinidad.com. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  2. ^ Wynn, N.A. (2010). Cross the Water Blues: African American Music in Europe. University Press of Mississippi. p. 177. ISBN 9781604735475. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ Colin Escott, "Last Train to San Fernando", PeterGuralnick.com. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  4. ^ Calypso and Other Music of Trinidad, 1912-1962: An Annotated Discography - Google Books. McFarland. 30 April 2015. ISBN 9780786478514. Retrieved 30 October 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, No.24 vol.46, 8 February 2007, p.95. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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