Alphonsus Edmund Cassell who used the stage name Arrow alongside Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, on stage in Montserrat.

He idolised the Grenadian-born Slinger Francisco, better known in the entertainment world, first as the Mighty Sparrow, and later, simply as Sparrow.

But by the time his song “Hot, Hot, Hot” became the biggest selling Soca hit of all time, Alphonsus Edmund Cassell had emerged from the shadows of the Trinidad-based Sparrow to lead the global acceptance of this form of Caribbean music.

He had used the stage name “Arrow” in honour of Sparrow and was regarded as a great exponent of Soca, enjoyed more at fetes and other festive occasions for its fast pace unlike, the Calypso that tended to deal with social commentary.

Arrow or “Phonzie”, as he was referred to by close friends and family recorded “Hot, Hot, Hot” in 1982 having established his recording label in 1973. Among his other notable hits are “Long Time” and “Groove Master”, both of which enjoyed success on the international charts

Born and raised in Montserrat, 60 years ago, Arrow grew up in a musical family where both his older brothers Hero, (Justin Cassell) and Young Challenger, (Lorenzo Cassell) had been Calypso Kings of Montserrat.

Arrow first performed at age 10 at a concert at the Montserrat Secondary School and even though he started singing calypso on 1967, later winning the junior monarch title and four times the Montserrat crown – it was not until 1974 he released his first album. His first recorded song came in 1972 when he released the tune “Dance with Me Woman”..

Arrow was a very popular performer at the Caribbean King of Kings Calypso Competition in Antigua and was the first Soca artist to perform at Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash.

His death on Wednesday had not been unexpected.

Last week he was flown to neighbouring Antigua and Barbuda for medical treatment after being diagnosed with cerebral cancer in early 2009. He had also been receiving treatment in the United States.

Arrow was also well known locally as a businessman with his “Arrow’s Man Shop” being re-located from the capital after the volcano destroyed large parts of the island.

“His death is a great loss to the family, his native land of Montserrat and the music world,” said Hero.

Source:CMC