Saluche
Birth nameLucien Small
Born1948
Kingstown, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands
Died(2007-01-14)14 January 2007 (age 58)
Dorsetshire Hill, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
MediumStand-up
GenresObservational comedy, satire
Subject(s)Culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, current events, everyday life
SpouseHelen Small (née Hazell)
Children2 daughters from 1st marriage: Sharese and Lucia

Lucien "Saluche" Small (1948 – 14 January 2007) was a Vincentian comedian, storyteller, and radio personality. He was dubbed the "King of Comedy" in Saint Vincent due to his regular appearances at local and regional festivals.

Early life

Lucien Small was born in Kingstown[1] in 1948. His schoolmates nicknamed him "Sir Lucien", which he changed to "Sir Luce", then "Sir Luche", and later "Saluche".[2]

Saluche helped raise his younger twin brothers Julian and Lloyd upon their father's death in 1969.[3] He worked for Cable & Wireless, eventually becoming a warehouse manager.[2] He was a member of the Commercial, Technical and Allied Workers' Union (CTAWU).[4]

Career

Saluche first achieved recognition as a comedian in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1990s before returning to Saint Vincent. He liked to make observations about everyday situations: he once joked that the seashore was the best location for a laundry, as one could obtain free Tide, Surf, and Breeze.[5] Other jokes veered into more risqué themes and current politics.[5] His catchphrase was "You got to clap for that!"[6]

Saluche performed in various countries. He appeared at the Spice Laugh Festival[7] and the Fisherman's Birthday Celebrations in Grenada.[8] He also appeared at the Apollo Theater in New York City[2] and the Caribbean Comedy Festival in Washington D.C.[9]

Saluche hosted "Night Riders", a program that aired every Thursday on Nice Radio. Besides his own material, Saluche featured pieces sent in by listeners and upcoming artists.[10]

In 2006, the ruling Unity Labour Party blacklisted Saluche from government jobs for telling political jokes at their expense.[11] This prohibition drastically reduced his public performances; ULP-affiliated organizers for that year's Carnival also refused to hire Saluche.[12][11] As a result, Saluche asked opposition leader Arnhim Eustace for support, joining Eustace's New Democratic Party. [11]

Family

Although Saluche's father died in 1969, his mother was still alive at the time of his death. Saluche had two daughters from his first marriage.[3] He later married Helen Hazell, an office manager for The Vincentian newspaper. They remained married until his death; she died in 2017.[13]

Death

Saluche died of a heart attack at his home in Dorsetshire Hill on 14 January 2007. He was 58.[3] The Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste paid tribute to Saluche, calling him "the funniest man in St. Vincent and the Grenadines".[14]

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, leader of the Unity Labour Party, attended Saluche's funeral without prior announcement.[11][15] Gonsalves was then asked to speak in place of featured speaker Eustace by some family members; this change drew boos from attending NDP supporters.[15]

Legacy

In 2013, the Department of Culture (within the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture) proposed a "Book of Remembrance" to commemorate prominent Vincentians. Saluche was one of the Department's initial candidates for inclusion.[16]

The "Night Riders" radio program continued to air, with Ferrand "Randy D" Dopwell as the new host.[10] In addition, a Night Rider nonprofit was founded to continue Saluche's community service work.[17]

The 2007 edition of the Caribbean Comedy Festival in Montreal was dedicated to Saluche.[18] He had appeared in every edition of the festival since it was founded.[19]

Album appearances

  • Island Comedy: Word Masters Live (2001)[20]
  • Word Masters Live II: Caribbean Comedy (2001)[21]
  • Caribbeana Celebrates 25th Anniversary: Caribbean Comedy Festival 2002 [22]

References

  1. ↑ "Comedy Biographies". www.sweetsoca.com. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 "Comedy King Saluche found dead". Searchlight. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 "Saluche- cultural icon gone". Searchlight. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. ↑ "LIME donates computer to CTAWU". Searchlight. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  5. 1 2 John, Kenneth (1994). "Weekend of Entertainment". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Thomas, Jomo (25 June 2010). "Classics of Calypso". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  7. ↑ "News". www.grenadianconnection.com. 5 March 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. ↑ "Fisherman's Birthday | GoGouyave". www.gogouyave.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "Arious Entertainment e-Mail-5.22.03". www.ariousentertainmentgroup.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  10. 1 2 "Remembering Saluche". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 4 John, Kenneth (31 July 2014). "Who to Blame?". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  12. ↑ "Place our nation first". Searchlight. 2 February 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  13. ↑ "Mrs. Helen Hazell was an able employee". thevincentian.com. 29 September 2017.
  14. ↑ "Remembering Lucien "Saluche" Small". Montreal Community Contact. 9 February 2007. ProQuest 368254602. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  15. 1 2 "Gonsalves fears attending Lynch's funeral will lead to undignified behaviour". iWitness News. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  16. ↑ "Book of remembrance launched". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  17. ↑ "Night Riders make donation". Searchlight. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  18. ↑ "Caribbean comedy back in Montreal". Montreal Community Contact. 12 October 2007. ProQuest 368246121. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  19. ↑ "Why we have to do it". Montreal Community Contact. 27 October 2006. ProQuest 368235918. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  20. ↑ "Profiles of Caribbean Artistry". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  21. ↑ "Word Masters Live II, Caribbean Comedy". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  22. ↑ "Caribbean Comedy Festival 2002". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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