Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd... day-long event in homage

"We're playing music in memory of the great Sir Coxsone Dodd, so we're going to play music until the day is done," toasted Winston 'King Stitt' Parks at last Monday's commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the passing of Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd.

The day-long event in homage to Sir Coxsone - who died suddenly on May 4, four days after the City of Kingston honoured him by renaming Brentford Road, Studio One Boulevard - was one of recollection for the small gathering of old school entertainers and radio jocks.

Veteran jitta-bug 'legsman', Sammy Jeggeh, in defiance of his grand age of 84 years, could be seen reliving the glory days of Forrester's Hall, Jubilee Gardens and Chocomo Lawn as the dancehalls of choice. That was before and after Sister Enid Cumberland of Keith and Enid fame, was called upon to say prayer, signalling the start of the formalities.

In this short segment, Sir Coxsone was lauded as the founding father of Jamaican popular music, by emcee Bunny Goodison as well as Member of Parliment for the area, Dr Omar Davies.

"Mr Dodd's musical legacy is imperishable," declared Goodison in his opening remarks.
In a brief address, Omar Davies admitted, "Music kept me focussed on who I am. The music has been good to me, believe you me, it lifted me up. Sir Coxsone was a gift to Jamaica, and I'm happy to be associated with him."

A big fan of Peter Tosh, the former finance minister hinted at two upcoming musical projects. "Since I've given up this other job, it is fascinating to discover the number of artistes who come from Trench Town, Jones Town....I've been interviewing them and I intend to make a major presentation on that. I'm also involved in another project, but I'm not going to buss it yet," Dr Davies said as he warned that we as a people should not allow others to tell our story.

In attendance were Winston 'The Whip' Williams, Owen Brown, Stokey Love, Julian Jingles, Lou Gooden, Johnny 'Dizzy Johnny' Moore, Bongo Herman, Lone Ranger and members of the Silvertones as well as Jays.

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