Jamaica was in political turmoil in 1976, 50 years ago. The socialist government of prime minister Michael Manley — popular with the Afro-conscious but scorned by the middle and upper-class — called a State of Emergency in June to quell gang violence. Several of his opponents, including the Jamaica Labour Party’s Olivia Grange and Pearnel Charles were jailed. An election was held in December, days after reggae star Bob Marley was shot at his St Andrew home, and just three days before the Smile Jamaica peace concert took place at National Heroes Park in Central Kingston.
1976 was not just about politics. Sprinter Donald Quarrie won a gold medal at the Montreal Olympics, while fast-bowler Michael Holding bowled the West Indies to a comprehensive victory over England at The Oval in London.
Musically, Marley and his Wailers released the impressive Rastaman Vibration album. There were also landmark albums from Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.
Today, Observer Online launches a look at events that made 1976 such a tumultuous, but fruitful period in post-Independence Jamaica.

Heading into the final of the 1976 Festival Song Competition, Freddie McKay was one of the favourites with Dance dis Ya Festival. Produced by Joseph “Jo Jo” Hoo Kim, it justified the pre-contest hype, edging All Night Till Daylight by Jacob Miller.

Fifty years later, Dance dis Ya Festival still gets the blood pumping. McKay’s, ‘I need a big heel boot and a bellfoot pants fi guh dance dis ya Festival’ is one of the most memorable lines in Festival lore.

It was the Linstead-born singer’s second entry in the annual event which was first held in 1966. He was in the 1971 staging along with Rocking Horse, a harmony trio from Allman Town that included lead singer Keith Poppin.

Cherry Oh Baby by Eric Donaldson won that year. After the contest, McKay and Poppin became close friends, regularly hanging out at Randy’s recording studio in downtown Kingston.

“We became friends, big-time friends! Freddie was a good artiste, a good singer,” Poppin said in an interview with Observer Online.

McKay was known for songs like Love Is A Treasure and Picture Hanging on The Wall, recorded for the rival Treasure Isle and Studio One labels, respectively.

Poppin recalled him giving impromptu performances of what became Dance dis Ya Festival to colleagues at Randy’s. It was eventually recorded at Channel One with Sly Dunbar on drums, Robbie Shakespeare playing guitar, Bertram “Ranchie” McLean (bass), Ansell Collins (keyboards) and Bobby Ellis (trumpet).

Dunbar also played drums on All Night Till Daylight which was produced by Joe Gibbs.

On the final night, Poppin remembers McKay looking the part.

“Well, Freddie was a suit man, him used to especially love him navy-blue suits. Wi used to check wi pants length man down Luke Lane regular an’ buy wi shoes at Barakat. Wi used to clean to di bone,” he said.

Backed by Rags To Riches, a harmony trio, Freddie McKay was a popular winner although Miller and All Night Till Daylight gave him a run for his money.

Freddie McKay never enjoyed that level of mainstream success again. He died in November 1986 at age 39.

Poppin, who lives in North Carolina, attended his funeral service which was held at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston.

“Like everyone, Freddie had his problems, but he was a decent person,” he said.