Find out details about Denyse Plummer’s obituary that has sprouted on the internet as her death is being linked to cancer. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of the renowned Calypso Queen, Denyse Plummer, following a prolonged struggle with cancer.
In recent weeks, there have been speculations about her demise, and her son, Jesse Boocock, has informed the Express that she was receiving palliative care at home and cherishing precious moments with her loved ones. Plummer had made the decision to discontinue chemotherapy treatment.
Who is Denyse Plummer?
Denyse Plummer was a calypso and gospel singer from Trinidad and Tobago. The child of a white father and a black mother, she initially faced significant prejudice in a genre traditionally seen as Afro-Caribbean but was eventually recognized as a leading calypso performer.
Denyse Plummer biography
Denyse Plummer was born in 1953 to a middle-class family in Saint James. Her father, Dudley “Buntin” Plummer, was a white Trinidadian, and her mother, Joan Plummer, was a light-skinned Afro-Trinidadian. Her father was a guitarist in a folk band called Le Petite Musicale.
Plummer attended Holy Name Preparatory and Holy Name Convent in Port of Spain, where she sang in the folk choir and won several youth music competitions. Plummer held various white-collar jobs until her mid-thirties, including working as a computer operator at Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company. She then began performing pop music at nightclubs and hotels throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
Initially, she avoided calypso due to the stigma surrounding white, middle- or upper-class individuals performing it and the “smutty” perception of women who performed the genre. However, she eventually decided to pursue music full-time and recorded some of the pop songs she typically performed between 1977 and 1983. In 1985, Phase II Pan Groove steelband arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe invited her to sing two calypso songs.
Despite initial doubts, Plummer accepted the offer and received support from her family and friends. After Superblue heard the recording, he asked her to perform in his calypso tent, which qualified Plummer to enter the Calypso Monarch competition.
In 1986, Plummer made her debut at Calypso Fiesta, the National Calypso Monarch semi-finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando. Unfortunately, some attendees disapproved of a multiracial singer performing calypso and held signs with derogatory messages. They even threw objects at her during her performance. However, Plummer remained composed and incorporated the thrown objects into her performance, winning over some of the spectators.
In 2015, prior to the Carnival festivities, Plummer made a public announcement regarding her newfound faith as a born-again Christian. She expressed her intention to perform “gospelypso and groovy soca about God and His Kingdom” moving forward.
Despite her conversion, Plummer did not subscribe to the belief held by some born-again Christians that calypso is “devil music”. In an interview, she clarified that while she still utilized the rhythms of calypso and soca, the message conveyed through her music had changed. Plummer believed that the acceptability of music to God was determined by the content and conduct of the performer during their performance. She subsequently performed at various churches in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as at gospel concerts both locally and internationally. Additionally, Plummer authored an autobiography titled The Crossover in the same year.
Denyse Plummer obituary: Gospel musician death linked to cancer
Denyse Plummer’s obituary has emerged online shortly after it was established that the Gospel musician died of cancer. Denyse Plummer, a legendary calypso queen, passed away after a protracted battle with cancer. As reports of her passing spread last month, her son Jesse Boocock told the Express that Plummer was spending time with her family and relaxing at home after deciding not to continue with her chemotherapy for cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart we confirm the passing of our beloved queen, Denyse Plummer-Boocock. Denyse was a wonderful mother, grandmother, wife, friend and an exemplary example to the younger generations. She will be missed by many, especially her family. She will live on through her music, literature and the beautiful impressions she left on everyone she met. We love you Denyse, thanks for the magic you brought to this world.”
A close friend, Ricardo Hamilton, took to the same platform to write;
“Denyse Plummer So it is confirmed, you have transitioned, leaving this earthly body and all it’s limitations behind you to “be with the Lord”. While I will not be bold enough to say we were friends- in the truest sense of the word- it was indeed a pleasure making your acquaintance and working with you. I will miss our conversations in the ‘green room.’ your warm engaging smile, the pats on the back, your encouraging words and even your loving reprimands. You were honest, forthright, candid, motherly. You spoke your mind and you did not stand any nonsense. You always had a story to tell and memories to share as only you can. I will cherish that you always encouraged me in what ever role I was executing. It is especillay nice that you always implored me to sing more and to push my boundaries and not allow ” my talent to be limited or wasted.’ Sigh! I have not yet listened, but it is special to me and the memories always makes me smile. I last saw you at your benefit concert ‘Thankful’. I will not lie I was shocked at your appearance and was not certain how to react, but, when you addressed me, you were you – vibrant, fun loving, honest, candid. You were Denyse, I could not feel sorry for you, It made me happy. That night being the consummate professional you are, you performed with your all. Your voice was sweet. Your energy contagious. Your love of life and for the Lord was very evident. I believe you when you declared that you could not lose because ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’ May He now say to you, “well done my good and faithful servant’ and may you dwell in His house Forever. I am thankful to have known you. Rest in peace, rise in power and live eternally happy.”
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