MORE than 10,000 people on Thursday night converged on the UDC Beach in Montego Bay at a special show in tribute to national footballer, Stephen ‘Shorty’ Malcolm, who died in a car accident on Sunday.

The large turnout forced show organisers to change venues twice. First the show was slated for Paradise Road, the Seba United Headquarters, but it was then changed to the Amphitheatre at City Centre.

But as news of the event spread and interest grew, the organisers made a last-minute switch to the open lot across from the amphitheatre.

The well-supported event was comparable in attendance to the huge throngs that usually flock to Reggae Sumfest’s most popular dancehall night shows. Top DJ Beenie Man headlined the night’s entertainment, but even as the crown enjoyed the ‘Doctor’s’ music there were sad faces as they remembered the Reggae Boy who lost his life.

Among the bereaved was Malcolm’s mother, Victoria; and his friend and teammate Theodore Whitmore. Both were called on stage at the start of the show, which got underway at 11:00 pm.

With eyes tightly closed, they hugged each other in show of unity during a moving prayer from DJ Sata Ranks, after which Mrs Malcolm was serenaded by Venom Band’s singer Alexia.

Other entertainers who travelled from Kingston to pay their respects to Malcolm were Ninja Man, Ghost and the Monster Shock Crew, Baby Cham, Frisco Kid, and Nitty Kutchie.

Some of the Montego Bay entertainers included Major Lloyd, Junior History and Cat Paw, and D-Syndicate.