When Marvin “Horseman” Pitterson kicked off his career as an ‘oldies’ show promoter in 2000, the rocksteady revival was still vibrant in Jamaica.

Next Saturday he stages Blast From The Past at Limelight Club in Half-Way-Tree. The show has a mix of ska, rocksteady, easy-listening and roots reggae stalwarts: Derrick Morgan, Ken Boothe, Boris Gardiner, Ernie Smith, Gem Myers, George Nooks, Big Youth, and Cocoa Tea.

Myers and Cocoa Tea are the ‘young turks’ on the bill. Their careers started in the late 1970s.

Pitterson, whose first show was the popular Stars R Us, is not surprised that the ‘vintage’ movement continues to attract strong audiences.

“The songs bring back memories, good memories. They are better than the songs that are being made now,” he told the

Jamaica Observer.

His maiden Stars R Us was held at a time when a new generation of fans were discovering artistes such as Boothe, Morgan, Alton Ellis and The Melodians through shows like Heineken Startime.

Held at Mas Camp in St Andrew, the initial Stars R Us had Big Youth, Nooks, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor and Josey Wales. It drew a massive crowd and prompted a good run for that series.

Pitterson has also promoted the To Mother With Love Mother’s Day show, which has had Dionne Warwick, Ben E King, Air Supply, and Millie Jackson as headliners.

Born in Kingston, Pitterson grew up in the Chisholm Avenue neighbourhood listening to acts like Boothe and U Roy, who excelled in the rocksteady era of the mid to late 1960s.

Since 1972, he has been the unofficial photographer at Caymanas Park racetrack, where he earned his moniker.

Pitterson has succeeded, against the odds, as a show promoter.

“Some people think I couldn’t do it, but once you have a good line-up people will come out,” he said.

The Fab 5 Band will back all artistes on Blast From The Past, except Cocoa Tea, who will be accompanied by his Step By Stepband.

— Howard Campbell