‘D Brown’ lives on ‘Beat Street’

BY BASIL WALTERS Observer staff reporter

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

THE third staging of the Dennis Brown Tribute Concert last Sunday was a massive success. The free event was again held in front of 135 Orange Street, better known as Big Yard, birthplace of the singer who died in July, 1999 at age 42.

It was a fitting salute to the Crown Prince of Reggae, whose spirit was captured for more than 10 hours. With eight bands appearing and over 50 performers, the massive crowd that converged on what was once appropriately dubbed 'Beat Street', got a fabulous treat.

Most performers lived up to the standard Dennis Brown would identify.

Ranging from Sabrina - a graduate of the Edna Manley School of the Performing Arts to established acts like Shaggy, Maxi Priest, Freddie McGregor and Marcia Griffiths, Brown's legacy was recalled in no uncertain manner.

Stephen, Damian and Julian Marley, sons of reggae king Bob Marley; Tarrus Riley, Tony Rebel, Half Pint, Junior Reid, George Nooks, Duane Stephenson, Prophecy, Iba Mahr, John Holt, Big Youth, Bongo Herman, among scores, also performed.

The Orange Street thoroughfare was called Beat Street for nothing. Prince Buster, Augustus Pablo, Joe Gibbs, Rupie Edwards, Gregory Isaacs, Clancy Eccles, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Winston Riley, and many others, all operated businesses along Orange Street.

Among the attendees was Lisa Hanna, minister of youth and culture.

"On behalf of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller and the government and people of Jamaica, I want to say a very happy and special commemoration to Dennis Brown first and the family and to all of you who continue to make the works that he laid and trail blazed such a success,' she told the crowd. "It is really you who have continued to keep it in our hearts and minds and certainly around the world where people have come to know reggae music."