IN TRIBUTE TO AN ICONIC ENTERTAINER

Aug 23, 2012 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

Colonial and post-colonial Guyana was full of its characters that attained notoriety not because of their economic wealth or the status they held in society, but because of their often eccentric behaviour and the popularity of this conduct with the population.
Names such as Jamesie Moore, Bertie Vaughn, Johnny Walker, Law and Order, and Pussy in the Moonlight spring to mind immediately. They were all unforgettable characters who many people felt had a few loose screws in their heads.
There were other popular characters who were all right in the head and who were part of the country’s folklore. Among these were the magician Ben Blue and the blind man Oscar.
In later years other characters emerged. These latter characters often appeared at sporting events and entertained everyone with their antics, jokes, creative clothing and their ability to hold the crowd’s attention.
Some went as far as making entertainment an art form and will be remembered. So memorable were these performances and so much did they endear themselves to the Guyanese public, that they are still remembered long after they had passed to the Great Beyond. They will be spoken about for many more years in the future; their exploits were unforgettable.
One such person who followed in their footsteps and who became a feature at international cricket matches hosted in Guyana was Joseph Taylor. He first appeared to the public’s attention in a rain- affected cricket match between the West Indies and India played at Bourda.
His debut was something of an embarrassment. It was obvious that his main goal then was to appear on the television coverage which was being beamed throughout the Caribbean and to India. He made a fool of himself on that afternoon when there was no play. He was trying his utmost to get on the camera and was trying to imitate Gravy, of Antigua fame, but without much success, because the cameramen were simply not interested in him. He was a newcomer and had to wait his turn.
He did wait his turn. And it paid off because he was able to carve out his own individual flair and uniqueness. His costumes were a riot and his performances off the field were eagerly looked forward to. He entertained to the hilt.
Cricket in the West Indies has always been about the action on the field and beyond the boundary, and Joseph Taylor who died this week ensured that this tradition was not lost. He is therefore a part of our national folklore and despite the recent circumstances which led to him being wanted for questioning by the police and his ultimate decision to take his own life, his contributions to entertaining fans during cricket matches, and at Mashramani, should not be forgotten or lost in our history.
He of course has patented his own methods. His trademark, apart from his outlandish costumes, was his habit of drinking from a utensil which is normally used for less palatable purposes and later the use of pump-horn to work the crowd. It was he who worked the crowds by pumping his horn and having the fans respond by hitting together the plastic bottles in their possession. He would toot his horn and the crowd would respond. He did this especially when the West Indies or Guyana cricket teams were not doing well, and was intended to lift their performance. That aspect will be missed dearly and it is hoped that in sending him off, the authorities will give him a final salute by tooting his popular horn.
He took his exploits in supporting the West Indies cricket team outside of Guyana. He went overseas to support the West Indies team. He had his fame in front of the cameras. As such he joined the pantheon of great cricket entertainers which is a part of Caribbean folklore and which sadly is dying.
When the final international match was played at Bourda, he put on a spectacular performance running around the field dressed as a bride with a very compliant groom at his side. It was his way of saying thanks to Bourda for all the memories and to indicate that local cricket was in a special transition. That performance was unforgettable and brought both cheers and tears.
He is now gone to a higher calling and he will be sorely missed. It is certain that someone else will rise up to replace him and to claim their own glory. But what is more certain is that cricket in Guyana will not be the same now that Joseph Taylor is gone. May he rest in Peace!

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