For 50 years Leroy Gibbons called Toronto, Canada, home. It is where the singer came of age musically after migrating from Jamaica to join his family.

Gibbons, who died in Hanover on June 17 at age 74, was remembered by members of Canada’s reggae community last Thursday during an event at the Jamaican Canadian Center in Toronto.

Artistes, producers, and sound system operators joined members of his family to celebrate the bespectacled vocalist’s contribution to reggae, especially in his adopted country.

Artiste/producer Colin “Iley Dread” Levy performed at the show, which was organised by Tasjay Production, for whom Gibbons recorded
Heaven Bound, a 2022 gospel EP.

“Leroy Gibbons was like a mentor to me, he made di effort to teach mi how to play di guitar and di piano many years ago. I will always remember his empathy, consideration, and most of all his musical contribution,” Iley Dread told the Jamaica Observer.

Exco Levi, multiple winner of Canada’s reggae Juno Award; singers Tony Anthony, Jimmy Reid, Treson, Kairo McLean, and P’damore; deejay Papa Levy, and several leading players in Toronto’s sound system circuit also attended the event.

A proclamation from Bishop Dr James Robinson of Faith Open Door Ministries in Toronto was presented to Gibbons’ three nieces, who represented his family.

Originally from Gregory Park, St Catherine, Gibbons (born Leroy Gibbon) migrated to Canada at a time when Toronto had a growing reggae scene. Jackie Mittoo, the genius keyboardist/arranger; Leroy Sibbles of The Heptones; Johnny Osbourne; Willi Williams; and The Messenjah band lived in that city.

Gibbons’ career exploded during the 1980s with songs like Four Seasons Lover, Cupid, Missing You, and This Magic Moment which won him a following in Jamaica, the United States, and United Kingdom.

No funeral date has been announced by his family.

— Howard Campbell