STREET IN OCHO RIOS TO BE RENAMED AFTER THE LATE SOUND SYSTEM OPERATOR/PRODUCER JACK RUBY!

Efforts are to be made to have James Avenue in Ocho Rios, St Ann, renamed in honor of the late iconic music producer and sound system operator Lawrence Lindo aka Jack Ruby.

Mayor of St Ann’s Bay Desmond Gilmore confirmed that he has had discussions with the parties wanting to effect the name change, but said the St Ann Parish Council is now awaiting a formal application for the process to begin.

He indicated that once the application is received, there will have to be consultations with the wider community, specifically those who live and operate businesses on James Avenue. The parish council would then “need to discuss it. We will need to get advice on it to determine where we go from there.”

Lawrence “Jack Ruby” Lindo

The move to rename the avenue is part of ongoing celebrations recognizing the contribution of the icon who died in 1989.

According to marketing consultant Sean Edwards of Contractor Music Marketing, negotiations between him, Gilmore and executives of Irie FM are ongoing in relation to having James Avenue renamed by the end of the year.

Sean “Contractor” Edwards

“There is no set date, but a stage show is set to take place after, featuring Sean Kingston and other top artists,” he said.

He also revealed that Billboard magazine’s Patricia Mechino has expressed an interest in providing media coverage for the event.

Jack Ruby

Earlier this month, Irie FM’s staged a concert in Ruby’s honor that featured performances from Tony Rebel, General Trees, Bongo Herman, Queen Ifrica and Mutabaruka.

Jack Ruby played instrumental roles in the careers of Burning Spear, Ken Boothe, Josey Wales, Big Youth and many others. He ran the Jack Ruby Hi Fi Sound and is considered to be one of the best roots-reggae producers of the 1970’s.