A competent musician and educator who had a persistent search for knowledge and an unmatched love for his country; Ralph Holding was a patriot.

The thanksgiving service for the life of renowned musician Ralph Holding was held at the St Margaret’s Anglican Church, Liguanea, on Saturday, January 14. Holding, brother of legendary West Indies cricketer Michael Holding, passed away earlier this year after a brief illness.

Ralph Holding, who was also the brother of Lady Hall, wife of former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall, was lauded as a musician extraordinaire, a dedicated servant to the musical craft, a nationalist and a patriot. Several tributes were read by family members, friends and colleagues from the music fraternity who were present to pay their final respects.

A professional musician most of his life, Ralph began his musical career playing with acts such as Roland Alphonso and the Soul Brothers, with whom he recorded several songs. He also worked with Tommy McCook and the Supersonics band and subsequently wrote himself into Jamaica’s history books by playing in the band at the very first Reggae Sunsplash.

Accompanying legendary acts such as Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Ralph Holding continued his career by playing at various hotels on Jamaica’s north coast where he met and also worked with Teddy Greaves’ show band as pianist and musical arranger. During his time as a professional musician, he toured most of Europe and was at one point permanently based in Germany.

Lifelong friends, Ian McPherson and Karl Ross spoke fondly of Holding, whom they affectionately called Junior in their tributes,

“Junior was a great friend of mine. He loved singing, and rightly so, as he had a beautiful voice. He was an all-rounder, Ralphie could do a bit of everything: plumbing, electrical work, tiling, you name it,” recalled McPherson. “His attention to details and the productivity was nothing short of astounding,” he added.

Ross, who likened the friendship he had with McPherson and Holding to that of the ‘Three Musketeers’, described his late friend as “an easy-going giant and a pillar of strength and innovation”.

Holding’s sister Marjorie Holding-Cobham, told those present that the musical fraternity had lost a competent and kind musician who had a persistent search for knowledge and a love for country which was unmatched.

In his homily, the Reverend Father Franklyn Johnson lauded Holding for his caring personality, musical intelligence and ingenuity. He reminded those present, “We live in the midst of death because it is a part of life. It is what we do in life that counts in the end.”

“His life was truly a gift. He was never selfish, nor was he ever ungracious. He used his time and talent to the greatest service of God and freely gave of himself that which God gave to him so freely,” he added.

He was described as “a pioneer to the musical industry in Jamaica” and will surely be missed.

Holding leaves behind his wife, six children, other relatives, close friends and professional colleagues.