DESPITE a date and venue change, the Valentine’s Day staging of Red Rose For Gregory was a delight for fans who held on to their tickets.

Held at the Jamaica College Auditorium in St Andrew, R&B act Atlantic Starr shone brightest.

The American group warmed to the crowd with their hits from the 80s. The songs brought back memories for patrons, such as

If Your Heart Isn’t In It, Masterpiece, and the cheaters’ smash hit Secret Lovers.

Lead singer Wayne Lewis jelled with the audience, weaving a heartfelt narrative of love between songs.

Yvad, Steven “Cat” Coore, Robert Minott, Ikaya, and D Major all delivered solid sets. However, it was Christopher Martin who came closest to matching Atlantic Starr.

He tugged at the heart strings with his Cheater’s Prayer and Paper Loving. He then appealed to the more mature with covers, including Gregory Isaacs’s Night Nurse. At the end of his set he had all the ladies on their feet singing and applauding.

“I was very happy with the show and turnout,” June Isaacs, event organiser, told the Jamaica Observer.

The concert, initially planned for Constant Spring Golf Club on Sunday, was rescheduled due to heavy rain.

Isaacs said she and her team were fully aware the new date would affect some patrons and the show’s theme was readjusted.

“We knew that people had their Valentine’s Day plans so we altered the show’s theme more along those lines,” she explained.

PaKaGe (Patricia Carty-Edwards, Karen Smith, and Gem Myers) and Keydeno were unable to perform due to other arrangements.

“While we believe anytime is a good time to celebrate Gregory, right now we’re looking at trying to make this an annual event,” Isaacs said.

Gregory is her husband singer Gregory Isaacs who died in October 2010 at age 60.

Proceeds from the event will go towards Patricia House Rehabilitation Centre and St Barnabas Preparatory School.