Odian Cyrus,aka Skunky, passed away in Trinidad at
7.30pm on Saturday 27th October,after losing his
battle to cancer. There is no doubt that the people
who knew him will remember him in various
different ways.

His friends and family are holding a Memorial Concert on Sunday Novenmber 2'nd 2008. If you would like to say a few words , perform as a guest artist or contribute to the event then call 07958319954 for more details on how you can get involved.

Odian was born in St. Mary’s Village, Freeport, near Couva in Trinidad. His father was an amateur musician, and it seemed that young Odian was born with musical talent.


While still young, Odian, in conjunction with his brother, songwriter Horace ‘Bokey’
Cyrus, wrote a song called La Lune neve for the Trinidadian ‘Best Village Programme’.
Although his village only came second in the competition, it was the start of Skunky’s
professional musical career. Asquith Clarke, the captain of the Trinidad Troubadours
band, spotted Skunky and contracted him to sing with his band. After three years he
moved to Gemini Brass,and then to T&T Sunblast.Then,in 1987,Skunky was contacted
by Charlie’s Roots, and agreed to sing with them; he remained with the band until
1993.

After leaving Charlie’s Roots and making London his base,Skunky concentrated on his
songwriting,as well as his singing,and wrote a string of hits for many artists,including
Watch me and Soca is meh baby, sung by Sugar Aloes, Life, sung by Second Imij, and you too rude and Soca Lad, which Skunky himself performed.

He also wrote songs for Peter Humphrey, Anslem Douglas and Wen’D, as well as theme songs for several carnival bands including Cocoyea. In all there was a huge volume of music written by Skunky, who also passed on his experience and knowledge of his art and craft to youngsters.

More recently,you might have seen the man himself catering at many venues and soca parties across London,using his considerable creative talents to please his audience in yet another way.

The last time I saw him, he told me that he wanted me to remember him as he was, not as I saw him then, so this is how I choose to remember him: I will remember the
unkempt hair; the loud manner in which he spoke; the way he used to come to our house,ring the bell,then shout,“Open the f...ing door”;walking with cans of beer in the morning and insisting we have one.

I will remember him taking me and my sister to soca parties, and then cussing us because he always wanted to leave before the party ended; selling tickets outside Cocoyea (for double the price),and lollypops inside; giving me my first driving lesson and cussing every second about how useless I was;sticking his hand in your pot whilst the food was still cooking; farting loudly any and everywhere, without a care in the world; laughing like an ‘ole jammette’if you told him about the drama going on in your life,but then turning around and say,“Doh worry babe,everything will work out”.

I have known Skunky for more than half my life; you could say he was part of the
furniture in our household.The void that he leaves behind will be impossible to fill.

I am thankful that he made it home to spend his last days with his family in Trinidad.The only thing we can do now is to respect his last wishes,and remember him as he was: the good,the bad and the ugly.

Leah Bedeau
To sign and view the members guestbook -
Skunky: Gone but not Forgotten