ALONG with sharing the same first name, their longevity in music and prolific hit-making reputation are largely responsible for the esteem in which Derrick Morgan and Derrick Harriot are held.

These two pioneers of Jamaican music, in their performances on Sunday at Studio 38, were like genuine gold on the gig appropriately so named by its promoter, Lloyd Parks — their peer with whom they shared the spotlight.

Derrick Harriot, in his usual cheerful self, enlivened patrons at the popular venue for live entertainment.

In keeping with the relaxed atmosphere, simply decked out in a full black, long-sleeved shirt over pants, the veteran entertainer dubbed ‘The Musical Chariot’ gave a heart-warming performance.

Beginning his stint with the uptempo revival style tune, I’ll Be Here When He Comes, the vintage singer/producer generated tender feelings among the audience with a slew of what he called “reggae tear-jerkers” the name of his soon-to-be-released album.

These included Close to Me, Checking Out (Checking In), which he dedicated to unfaithful lovers (confessing that he has since mended his cheating ways) and Skin to Skin at the end of which Lloyd Parks teased, “anymore sad story, Derrick?”

The sharp-witted Harriot mused, “A one thing though, all of them go number one,” to the amusement of everyone. He then admitted that it’s hard to do a show without doing his 1964 hit, What Can I Do (Too Late She Is Gone).

Declaring that “It’s rocksteady time, the greatest music Jamaica has ever seen,” the cousin of the late Jamaican saxophonist Joe Harriot entertained Studio 38 with some more of his golden hits like I was Born to Love Her, during which Franklyn “Bubbler” Waugh was in his element on the keyboard.

Ably assisted on background vocals by Clancy Eccles Jr and Chris McDonald, the soulful crooner also scored with I was Born A Loser, Do I Worry, Walk That Streets At Nights, Solomon, Tonight, Stop That Train, Penny For Yor Love, It’s a Long Story.

And after all of that, the small gathering refused to let him go before he did Sugar Dandy.

But as delightful as Harriot was, it was namesake Derrick Morgan who had the ladies going wild. The ‘King of ska’ got them dancing up a storm from the moment he hit the stage, interestingly enough, not with a sentimental ballad, with Forward March, recorded 49 years ago in celebration of Jamaica’s Independence.

From there on, in a response of sort to his invitation in his next song, I Want A Girl to Dance With Me, it was nothing but non-stop dancing.

He kept the momentum going with Be Still (I’m your superior), Housewife’s Choice, Millie Girl (in tribute to another of his peers, Owen Gray); I Remember and Save the Last Dance for Me.

What was also amazing was that Morgan tipped his hat to his arch-rival Prince Buster by performing some of the lyrical missiles Buster used against him such as Bad-Minded People, Blackhead Chiney Man, Time Longer Than Rope, among others.

He could have gone on all night as many fans demanded an extended performance.

It was a fitting end to a night which began officially with promoter/bassist Parks alternating on vocals with Clancy Eccles Jr.

After the band got things going with the Skatalites’ Garden of Love, young Eccles did a lively set beginning with Bob Marley’s Is This Love? followed by I’ll Stay With You and She’s Royal before Parks came in with Members Only.

As a duo they made their mark with You Don’t Know How to Love Me, the Spinners’ I’ll Be Around and Beres Hammond’s Gonna Talk.