BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE very talented and eager former calypsonian Turkey De Gun said that his decision to resign from the life and music he loved was fueled by a near death experience after his last night of performance.
As he stood in his yard reflecting on his life and hardship he faced as a performer, the former calypsonian reveal that he was not favoured for a number of a songs he wrote and performed during past calypso competitions.
“There was a time in my life when I was the best performer and I was also a great song writer, but not everyone liked what I wrote. There were times when I was stabbed. I got hit over the head and I blacked out for a couple of hours,” Rueben Lake said.
Lake also told SKNVibes Entertainment that after his constant assaults, he made a firm decision that performing for the love of his fans was not enough to risk his life. “At one time after I had done a show in the 70s, somebody lash me across my head and I could not remember anything after then, so I decided to stop singing.”
Now known as ‘Silver Fox’, the 59-year-old said that after his final performance of the song ‘Ram Pack’ in 1980, he took up the construction trade where he remained for a number of years until he retired.
Given a tour of his humble abode, the Turkey De Gun showed SKNVibes Entertainment a number of photographs of local performers and a diagram of how mosquitoes feed off of humans. He also had a photograph of the Jesus hanging on his wall.
With his deep obsession about herbal medicine and plants, Lake said that although retired he still works in his backyard garden planting fruit such as banana and papayas as well as herbal plants.
Lake also spoke extensively about the importance of the Aloe plant. “This is a very good herbal medicine, especially when you drink it with water. It is bitter to digest but it cleans the blood. I use it from time to time.”
On his house, Lake had a number of items ranging from toys to stuff animals, each having a significant meaning to him. A monkey named after him, a toy car, an airplane and a gun were just some of the many items on display.
Where is he now?
When asked for a photograph of this one of a kind legend, Lake insisted that he has to put on his “gown” before a picture could be taken.
Dressed in his multi-coloured gown and a stuffed toy monkey strapped around his neck, Turkey De Gun posed for the cameraman while armed with his orange toy gun.
In his advice to young calypsonians in the Federation, Lake said: “Never let people intimidate you so that you can’t do this or do that. You have the power of choice and use it to the best of your ability.”
Now a retired contractor, Lake lives in his humble abode attending to his garden and flowers. Although not in the limelight, he still sings and dances throughout the Newton Ground community.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: SKNVibes solicits suggestions from the public in identifying other individuals who have made significant contributions to the Calypso art form in St. Kitts and Nevis. Feel free to email us at newsroom@sknvibes.com or call us at (869) 466-9242 or (869) 662-3901 and pass on the relevant information.
