By Vashtee Achibar Friday, February 15 2013

click on pic to zoom in

POINT'S ICONS: A sign in the heart of Point Fortin highlights the borough's cultural icons including 2013 Road March King Austin 'SuperBlue' Lyons, ca...

Point Fortin is bursting with pride at the Carnival successes of its son Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons.

So ecstatic was Point Fortin Mayor Clyde Paul, a long time associate of “Blue”, that he was busy discussing plans with council members yesterday to honour the soca king in his hometown in the southern borough this month end.

So far, Paul has revealed plans to rename Kalloo Street, Austin Lyons Street.

The street is located a stone’s throw from Baptiste Road where the nine-time Road March and seven-time Soca Monarch winner was born.

Paul, speaking at his office in Point Fortin yesterday, said he and “Blue” go back, “ plenty, plenty years and reason for the big celebration was not just because of his two major wins but what he called the rebirth of SuperBlue”.

“We are very proud of SuperBlue, I mean like all human beings he suffered from human failings and we have seen his revival. I interpret that as a rebirth of the great SuperBlue and Point Fortin is more than proud of him, perhaps even more so because of his rebirth. This is a spiritual rebirth, he has recovered from something that has demonised him for some time,” said Paul.

“It’s not easy for someone who once ruled the roost of soca and to be ‘domicile’ for 13 years and to come back and be victorious over the great Machel Montano. Even the young guys in the soca business are mortally afraid of Machel Montano. And Super had come out as frail as he was to defeat Machel. We are so proud and honoured.”

Among the honours for Lyons will be a thanksgiving service on February 28. There are also plans to name a children’s play park after Lyons and on April 30, at the borough’s 33rd anniversary, Lyons will be presented with the keys to the Borough of Point Fortin. The Point Fortin celebrations for Lyons are to continue on May 3, which will be declared “Super Friday” and residents will wear blue clothing.

“We have to give thanks,” the Mayor stressed, “We have to give thanks for his rebirth and for God to give him the strength to carry on.”



Following the thanksgiving later this month, Lyons is expected to turn the sod for construction of the children’s play park near the house where he was born.

Lyons’ youngest sister, a brother and nine-year-old niece now live on that spot but the house has since been rebuilt and his parents are deceased.

Karen Lyons, a Sixth Form teacher at Fyzabad Secondary School, told Newsday yesterday she was overjoyed at her brother’s successes. “I called him to congratulate him,” she said. She revealed that over the years he was struggling to make that return to the soca arena but it was difficult. “If there’s anyone who could have made that comeback it’s him. He’s very determined, it was not a question of if, but when,” she added. “My brother is a very humble person, I have never once heard him speak ill of any artiste, no matter what.”

Karen credits Lyons with bringing people back to the Soca Monarch competition.

Her nine-year-old daughter Leah Mark said she was happy that “Uncle Austin” had won historic titles this Carnival.

Long-time friend Wilfred Cave, of Wickham Street, describes Lyons’ victories as fantastic. He and Lyons grew up together and have been friends for over 50 years. “I cry when I see my boy come back. I am very proud of him,” he said.

Another childhood friend, Pedro Wallace, of Adventure Road, said all his “pores raise” when he saw Lyons’ performance at the Soca Monarch finals.

“Ah feel good, he was always good, you know. He went to town and he reverse back and come home,” Wallace said.

He recalls when as a youth, Lyons would sit under a huge long mango tree opposite his house singing.

“He used to be strumming an old cuatro that Mr Crossford gave him. He used to be strumming that cuatro whole day and singing and sometimes I wanted to take my slingshot and shoot him for making noise in my head,” Wallace said smiling.