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Growling Tiger

1916 – 1993

Trinidad and Tobago musician

Calypsonian
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About Growling Tiger

Lived 1916 – 1993 (aged 76–77). Growling Tiger was a calypsonian.

Neville Marcano (1916–13 May 1993), known as the Growling Tiger, was a Trinidadian calypsonian.

Biography Born in Diego Martin, Trinidad, Tiger was originally a boxer who won the Trinidad flyweight championship in 1929. He was active in calypso from his teens and began singing professionally in 1934.

More so than his contemporaries Tiger sang about social and political issues. His best known songs are "Money is King", about economic inequality, and "The Gold in Africa", about the Italian invasion of Ethiopia. Recording together with Atilla and Beginner as the Keskidee Trio, he recorded some lighter tunes, including "Don't Let Me Mother Know".

Folklorist Alan Lomax recorded him in 1962. In 1966, Growling Tiger performed at the Newport Folk Festival. In 1979, he recorded an album, Knockdown Calypsos, for Rounder Records.

Fellow Trinidadian George Browne was dubbed "Young Tiger" after recording a cover version of Marcano's song "Single Man" in 1953.

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Important facts

Born
1916
Birth century
Occupation
Calypsonian
Nationality
Trinidad and Tobago
Also known as
Neville Marcano

People in Growling Tiger's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Growling Tiger's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Growling Tiger?

Trinidad and Tobago musician

When was Growling Tiger born?

Growling Tiger was born in 1916.

When did Growling Tiger die?

Growling Tiger died on 13 May 1993.

What was Growling Tiger's occupation?

Growling Tiger was a calypsonian.

What nationality was Growling Tiger?

Growling Tiger's recorded nationality: Trinidad and Tobago.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Growling Tiger

· Wikidata: Q5611695

· DBpedia: Neville Marcano

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Growling Tiger. https://biography.guide/growling-tiger/

MLA: "Growling Tiger." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/growling-tiger/.

Chicago: "Growling Tiger." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/growling-tiger/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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