Sylvester McIntosh
Sylvester Ivan McIntosh (August 17, 1934 – November 11, 2017), also known as Blinky, was a Crucian singer and bandleader. He was the founder and frontman of the band Blinky & the Roadmasters.
Early life
McIntosh was born on August 17, 1934, in
scratch band", and by the age of fifteen, he was playing guitar in his father's band, the Merry Makers.[1] During his stint in this band, he toured all over St. Croix and became very familiar with his father's songs.[4] As a child, he also joined the masquerade troupe Wild Indians, which had a major role in organizing local carnivals.[3]
Later career
McIntosh founded his first band, the Pond Bush Hot Shots, in the mid-1950s. He played guitar in the band, which was named after the Pond Bush neighborhood of Frederiksted where they originated. McIntosh went on to found the Clefs, in which he also played guitar. In the 1960s, he joined the
cult classic film Captain Ron in 1992.[1] McIntosh retired from his job at the St. Croix Department of Public Works in December 1993, after working there for forty-one years. He and his band continued to perform traditional Crucian music at local events thereafter.[2]
Personal life and death
McIntosh was the father of seven children.[2] He died on November 11, 2017.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Christmas Without Local Legends Sylvester 'Blinky' McIntosh and Harold Johnson Sr". The St. John Source. December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Sylvester McIntosh". Masters of Traditional Arts. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Sylvester McIntosh: Crucian Singer/Bandleader". www.arts.gov. National Endowment for the Arts. n.d. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.
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