Kenneth "Lord Laro" Lara was a surprise guest at Brother Valentino's birthday celebrations at the Mas Camp Pub, French Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain last Wednesday and the audience just could not get enough of this sweet-voiced singer.

Lord Laro performed three songs including his monster hit "Ire Tempo" which he called "The Spirit of Trinidad".

Brother Valentino told his audience that the concert was "not about making money" but to show appreciation and celebrate with the fans who came out to support him on his 71st birthday.

Born Emorold Anthony Phillip on July 7, 1941, Valentino spent his first five years in Cherry Hill, Grenada. He arrived in Trinidad on a Carnival Monday, which was very fascinating to the five-year-old who grew up at Long Circular Road, St James.

Valentino attended the Mucurapo Boys' RC Primary School and moved on to a private secondary school but his father's death and the family's inability to fund his schooling forced him to drop out. Always skilled with his hands, Vaelntino worked several odd jobs before he decided to focus on building a career as a calypsonian.

Valentino tried his hands as a printer, electrician, mechanic and a very good tailor. Initially using the sobriquet, Robin he started out at a tent known as the Big Bamboo on Park Street, Port of Spain.

Realising that another calypsonian had begun to use the name Robin, Valentino was forced to find a new stage name when he joined Kitchener's Revue. It was in fact Kitchener who dubbed him Lord Valentino. During the Black Power movement of the 1970s he changed his stage name to Brother Valentino. Years later the Black Stalin referred to Valentino as the People's Calypsonian.

Known for his tell-it-like-it-is style and as one who pulls no punches, Valentino has over the years penned a number of classics including; "Life is a stage" (1972), "Barking Dogs" (1974), "Dis Place Nice" (1975), "Stay Up Zimbabwe" (1979), "Birds That Fly High" (1982), "Time And Space" (1986), "Calypso In Trouble" (1992), "Time To Love Again" (1996), "The Radio" (2001) and "Where Kaiso Went" (2004).

The birthday concert also featured performances by Soft Touch, Karega Mandela, Brother Mudada, Brother Resistance and Luta with Lord Laro as special guest.

Lord Laro and several calypsonians reminisced on his (Laro's) days as a calypsonian at Sparrow's Original Young Brigade. He was seen chatting with Black Stalin, Baron and several others.

While Laro held the spotlight off stage, Brother Valentino held it on stage. He was presented with a birthday cake by three of his sons who all thanked him for his continuing support.

TUCO President Brother Resistance told the audience it was Brother Valentino who brought him into calypso. "Is Vali who show me that calypso is not a jam and wine music. He was always conscious about what he sang; he introduced me to Black Stalin, Brother Superior and Pretender.

"They laid the foundation for me to walk on… they showed me how to come forward and address the audience. Tonight is a special night for me."

Brother Resistance said he was also honoured to be in the presence of Lord Laro who came to Trinidad after a big performance in Grenada with Trinidad Rio, Johnny King and Bally along with several Grenadian performers. His mission—to renew his passport.

Born in Claxton Bay, Laro sang calypso with Sparrow's Original Young Brigade before joining the Regiment and was known as the "Singing Soldier".

Laro got a taste of Jamaica when his battalion was sent there for training. He met a young lady... and the rest is history.

He has been living in Jamaica since the 70s and has returned to Trinidad on several occasions to perform. Laro totally enjoyed himself on Wednesday night with his many calypsonian friends.

Here are some of the highlights of Brother Valentino's birthday celebra

enneth "Lord Laro" Lara was a surprise guest at Brother Valentino's birthday celebrations at the Mas Camp Pub, French Street, Woodbrook, Port of Spain last Wednesday and the audience just could not get enough of this sweet-voiced singer.

Lord Laro performed three songs including his monster hit "Ire Tempo" which he called "The Spirit of Trinidad".

Brother Valentino told his audience that the concert was "not about making money" but to show appreciation and celebrate with the fans who came out to support him on his 71st birthday.

Born Emorold Anthony Phillip on July 7, 1941, Valentino spent his first five years in Cherry Hill, Grenada. He arrived in Trinidad on a Carnival Monday, which was very fascinating to the five-year-old who grew up at Long Circular Road, St James.

Valentino attended the Mucurapo Boys' RC Primary School and moved on to a private secondary school but his father's death and the family's inability to fund his schooling forced him to drop out. Always skilled with his hands, Vaelntino worked several odd jobs before he decided to focus on building a career as a calypsonian.

Valentino tried his hands as a printer, electrician, mechanic and a very good tailor. Initially using the sobriquet, Robin he started out at a tent known as the Big Bamboo on Park Street, Port of Spain.

Realising that another calypsonian had begun to use the name Robin, Valentino was forced to find a new stage name when he joined Kitchener's Revue. It was in fact Kitchener who dubbed him Lord Valentino. During the Black Power movement of the 1970s he changed his stage name to Brother Valentino. Years later the Black Stalin referred to Valentino as the People's Calypsonian.

Known for his tell-it-like-it-is style and as one who pulls no punches, Valentino has over the years penned a number of classics including; "Life is a stage" (1972), "Barking Dogs" (1974), "Dis Place Nice" (1975), "Stay Up Zimbabwe" (1979), "Birds That Fly High" (1982), "Time And Space" (1986), "Calypso In Trouble" (1992), "Time To Love Again" (1996), "The Radio" (2001) and "Where Kaiso Went" (2004).

The birthday concert also featured performances by Soft Touch, Karega Mandela, Brother Mudada, Brother Resistance and Luta with Lord Laro as special guest.

Lord Laro and several calypsonians reminisced on his (Laro's) days as a calypsonian at Sparrow's Original Young Brigade. He was seen chatting with Black Stalin, Baron and several others.

While Laro held the spotlight off stage, Brother Valentino held it on stage. He was presented with a birthday cake by three of his sons who all thanked him for his continuing support.

TUCO President Brother Resistance told the audience it was Brother Valentino who brought him into calypso. "Is Vali who show me that calypso is not a jam and wine music. He was always conscious about what he sang; he introduced me to Black Stalin, Brother Superior and Pretender.

"They laid the foundation for me to walk on… they showed me how to come forward and address the audience. Tonight is a special night for me."

Brother Resistance said he was also honoured to be in the presence of Lord Laro who came to Trinidad after a big performance in Grenada with Trinidad Rio, Johnny King and Bally along with several Grenadian performers. His mission—to renew his passport.

Born in Claxton Bay, Laro sang calypso with Sparrow's Original Young Brigade before joining the Regiment and was known as the "Singing Soldier".

Laro got a taste of Jamaica when his battalion was sent there for training. He met a young lady... and the rest is history.

He has been living in Jamaica since the 70s and has returned to Trinidad on several occasions to perform. Laro totally enjoyed himself on Wednesday night with his many calypsonian friends.

Here are some of the highlights of Brother Valentino's birthday celebrations.tions.