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CLINTON LINDSAY » Entries tagged with "Byron Lee"

POSTHUMOUS AWARD FOR THE LEGENDARY BYRON LEE!

 Byron Lee— BYRON Lee will be honored posthumously on October 16 during the first New York Hakka Conference, at the Museum of Chinese in America (MoCA). The founder and leader of the Dragonaires band died in November 2008 of cancer at age 73. That year, he was recognised for his contribution to Jamaican music by MoCA’s Toronto chapter. A presentation of Lee’s career, produced by MoCA and VP Records, will be shown during the ceremony. His daughter, Julianne Lee, will accept the award. “This is a huge achievement and honor, I am elated that my dad was chosen for this award. It clearly demonstrates how impactful his work was on Jamaica and the Caribbean,” she said. Born in Manchester to a Chinese father and black mother, Lee attended St George’s College where he started the Dragonaires … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONAIRES “UPTOWN TOP RANKING” HIGHLIGHTS THE GLORY DAYS OF SKA!

   Byron Lee— IN 1964, at the height of the ska craze, Edward Seaga, Jamaica’s minister of social welfare and economic development, invited Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (BL&D) to his West Kingston constituency to revel in a sound that was rocking Kingston’s clubs. “Byron, myself and Ken Lazarus went down there and he (Seaga) said ‘listen to this’. We heard these guys making amazing music,” recalled BL&D lead singer Keith Lyn. That “amazing music” was ska. The West Kingston trip inspired Lazarus and Lyn to write Jamaican Ska, which remains one of the band’s biggest hits. It is one of 20 songs on Uptown Top Ranking, an album to be released June 9 by VP Records. The set revisits some of BL&D’s ska, rocksteady and reggae recordings. Because of its longstanding ties to Carnival in … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

“MY BOY LOLLIPOP” INTRODUCES TEENAGED-SINGER MILLIE SMALL TO THE WORLD!

Millie Small– By Shereita Grizzle– The year was 1964, the song was My Boy Lollipop, and the singer was a teenage Jamaican girl named Millie Small. The single was only a cover of Barbie Gaye’s 1956 hit, but it undoubtedly catapulted the young singer into the international spotlight and cemented her space in the musical history books forever. My Boy Lollipop, an Ernest Ranglin rearrangement, took the national and international music scene by storm, rapidly climbing to the top spots on various music charts in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. It held the No. 2 spots on both the United Kingdom’s Singles Charts and US Billboard Hot 100, while in Canada, it held the No. 3 spot. The Gleaner was the premiere newspaper in existence during that period, and a publication dated September 26, 1964 … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

MUSIC STALWART RONNIE NASRALLA TO BE HONORED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA!

MUSIC STALWART  RONNIE NASRALLA TO BE HONORED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA!

 By Howard Campbell—- RONNIE Nasralla can point to many accomplishments in his 83 years. The Order of Distinction is his latest. The government recently announced that the 83-year-old impresario will receive Jamaica’s fifth highest honour for his contribution to the development of the country’s music. NASRALLA… I’m very excited, I never expected it but I’m very happy “I’m very excited, I never expected it but I’m very happy about it,” said Nasralla Monday from his home in Atlanta, Georgia. Nasralla … Read entire article »

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“THE MUSICAL HIGH PRIEST” ROY SHIRLEY – THE MAN WHO CHANGED THE GAME!

“THE MUSICAL HIGH PRIEST” ROY SHIRLEY – THE MAN WHO CHANGED THE GAME!

Roy Shirley was perhaps the most eccentric performer in Jamaican music, mesmerising audiences at various venues, including the Carib Theatre, with some superb, electrifying performances during the 1960s. Donning a costume that befitted a priest, with headdress and pastor’s gown to match, Roy would kneel, wail and groan on stage while manoeuvring through intricate stage routines, this, he combined with a voice that was truly unique. He aptly acquired the title ‘The Musical High Priest’. To witness … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS

UNSUNG: THE DYNAMIC – THE BLUES BUSTERS!

UNSUNG: THE DYNAMIC – THE BLUES BUSTERS!

By Howard Campbell—– AS organisers of Reggae Sumfest prepare to launch their 20th anniversary show on Sunday in Montego Bay, it is fitting to recall the achievements of one of that city’s pioneer music acts. The Blues Busters (Phillip ‘Boasie’ James and Lloyd ‘Lloydie’ Campbell) were both born in Montego Bay. They got their start in the tourist town’s clubs and hotels before moving to Kingston where they hit the big time as ska performers. THE BLUES BUSTERS… … Read entire article »

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TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS 2012 – TO HONOR MUSIC LUMINARY RONNIE NASRALLA!

TRIBUTE TO THE GREATS 2012 – TO HONOR MUSIC LUMINARY RONNIE NASRALLA!

By Howard Campbell—– FOR over 30 years, Ronnie Nasralla was one of the movers and shakers in Jamaica’s music industry. On July 28, he will be honoured for his contribution as artiste manager and music producer at the annual Tribute To The Greats show at Curphey Place in St Andrew. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer from his home in Atlanta, Georgia, the 81-year-old Nasralla described the award as a “great thing”. He believes it is overdue. NASRALLA… played … Read entire article »

Filed under: GUEST RUNDOWNS