Ben Rownde
Member of Lunar Odd Squad (PG-13)
Once upon a time, gracing the sun-soaked shores of Trinidad, Ben Rownde, rumored to be a wandering minstrel with a knack for unearthing family secrets, sashayed onto the calypso scene like a tropical breeze with a mischievous twist. Clad in vibrant shirts and a grin that hinted at knowing more than he let on, Rownde was a one-hit wonder whose infectious rhythms and cheeky storytelling captivated the islands and beyond, only to vanish into the sunset, leaving behind a trail of laughter and head-scratching intrigue.
His lone chart-topper, "Ah Woe Ah Me", is based on the song "Shame and Sorrow for the Family", written and performed for the 1943 movie I Walked with a Zombie by Sir Lancelot, then modified, re-titled, and since covered by several artists including Lord Melody, The Kingston Trio, and The Sylistics. Rownde dusted off this shadowy calypso classic—born in the eerie glow of 1943's voodoo-tinged horror flick, where Sir Lancelot's haunting Shame and Sorrow first whispered of familial curses—and infused it with his signature swagger. The result? A rollicking gem that spins a tale of island intrigue and romantic roadblocks with a beat that makes even the steel drums blush. With lyrics like "Ah woe, ah me / Shame and scandal on the family," Rownde's rendition masterfully unravels the hilarious saga of a lovelorn lad's quest, foiled by his papa's endless "Nos" and a lineage-revealing twist worthy of a rum-fueled family reunion. This cheeky chorus and sly narrative etched Ben Rownde into the pantheon of gossip-spinning troubadours.
Ben Rownde is a member of PG-13-rated artist collection Lunar Odd Squad.
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