Artistes celebrate Peter Tosh in Belmont

Wednesday, March 09, 2011

THE celebration of the life, works and legacy of legendary Wailer, Peter Tosh at the monument in Belmont, Westmoreland, on Saturday, February 27, was a fitting tribute to a reggae great.

Reggae radio, Irie FM partnered with the Peter Tosh Estate and provided an all-day broadcast of the entire event live. And the music fraternity, not to be outdone, was also well-represented.

Special mention must be made of singer Richie Stephens, who, although still mourning the recent death of his adopted son, Copper Cat, felt this occasion was important enough for him to be present. Also turning in great performances were Colin Levy aka Iley Dread, Jack Radics, Prophecy and Hezron.

Colin Levy, despite being based in Canada, has been in Jamaica quite frequently in the last few months as he promotes his single, Lover's Holiday, from his soon-to-be-released album. He noted that he had actually been in the island to perform at two Valentine's shows in February when he was approached to do the Peter Tosh Tribute.

"With the respect and love in my heart for reggae pioneers, such as Peter Tosh, there was no way I could say no. I had to reschedule my flight home, but it was well worth it," a satisfied Levy declared.

And, his performance was heartfelt. Levy received a stirring three encores from the yearning audience. His first song, Picture on the Wall, created a call for forwards but he kept the momentum and smoothly segued into his second song Don't Look Back done by Tosh and Mick Jagger. It proved a great choice and when Levy called on stage Nikki Burt to accompany him on the track, the crowd loved it even more.

However, Colin Levy's newest single, Lover's Holiday, clearly has been creeping into the consciousness of the massives, because the response was awesome. He wooed all the lovers in the audience and when they demanded an encore, this time Levy complied.

He closed his stint with Good to be There and had the audience singing the chorus.

However, the celebration was a huge success, so long live the Mystic Man and Stepping Razor, Peter Tosh.