Trinidad and Tobago's most talented and prolific songwriter, Winsford “Joker” Devine died on Tuesday at age 77.
The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians' Organisation (TUCO) released a statement on Devine on Tuesday, stating that he had written over 500 calypsoes during his 40-year career.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair following a stroke in 1998, Devine continued to write lyrics and music for many calypsoes.
Devine, who was honored with an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 2018, wrote over 500 calypsoes for calypsonians such as Baron, Sparrow, Crazy, Mighty Trini, Anselm Douglas, Singing Francine, and Machel Montano.
He was also a skilled pannist with a preference for the tenor, which he began playing at the age of nine.
Some of soca and calypso's biggest names have paid tribute to late songwriter Winsford “Joker” Devine.
On Tuesday, Machel Montano posted some videos on Instagram singing some of his Devine-penned hits. The videos were also accompanied by the caption, "My condolences to his family, and may his soul rest in peace."