News of the death of Calyposonian “Get Through” has plunged St Lucia’s calypso and arts fraternity into mourning. “Get Through” whose real name is Cyril Felix, passed away on Wednesday night while a benefit show was being held the National Cultural Centre, to allow him to seek medical care. The event called – Chanting for Get Through – was aimed at raising funds not only for the ailing calypsonian’s medical care, but also to create a fund to assist others in the calypso industry. Long time friend and fellow Calypsonian, Ignatius “Invader” Tisson, calls the evening a “bitter sweet” experience. He says a large crowd of colleagues, friends and fans had gathered to pay tribute to Get Through. Tisson says while he did not live to see it, he knows “Get Through” was looking down on the event and smiling.
Tisson says the beloved Calypsonian made an indelible mark on St Lucian Calypso. He co-founded the Take Over Tent, which has since gone on to develop many of the top Calypsonians in St Lucia.
Business Manager of the Take Over Tent of which Get Through was a founding member, and a member of the planning committee for the Chanting for Get Through fundraiser, Cecil Charles, says Get Through’s legacy will live on. The Calypso fund will go on to help others, and Get Through will forever be remembered as a catalyst for change.
Get through was well known for his hits ‘Marchand and ‘What the People Chanting’ which won the Road March title in 1982. Charles says the songs, in particular “Marchand”, served as a voice for the marginalized.
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