BILLY OCEAN

​Did you know that Billy Ocean [Leslie Charles], was born on 21 January 1950 in Fyzabad, South Trinidad , to Hainsley Charles, a Grenadian Musician, and his wife Violet a Trinbagonain ?
Billy Oceanwas exposed to music at an early age and became involved in music while growing up in Trinidad in the 1950s. In a 2020 interview, he recalls singing calypso in school: “The headmaster [Mr. Frederick] used to take me around schools all over the country to compete in senior competitions...I never won anything in competition...But I see now it was part of my apprenticeship. I look back and I wish Mr. Frederick was alive, so I could ask him why he did it.”
He moved to England, when he was ten years old, just before Trinidad and Tobago became independent in 1962. During his teenage years, he sang regularly in London Clubs while also working as a tailor in London's Saville Row. He was discovered by his first manager, John Morphew, who recorded a double A – single record at Pye Studios in London with a full orchestra.
According to his biography ,Billy has won 11 awards during his nearly five decades in music, including 7 ASCAP Pop Music Awards for ‘Most Performed Songs’ and 2 Billboard Music Awards for ‘Top 100 Artist’ and ‘Top Adult Contemporary Artist.’ He was nominated for 22 Billboard Music Awards between 1985 and 1987, and two Grammys. (1985 and 1987). He is considered the best selling black recording star in British history, selling over 30 million records during his career. A number of his albums have hit Gold and Platinum status. Caribbean Queen is one of Billy’s most enduring hits.
In 2002 he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Music Degree by the University of Westminster. Queen Elizabeth granted him into the ‘Most Excellent Order of the British Empire’ in 2019. (Source:  Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago Jan 10, 2023)