The Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment Desk continues with the 43rd of its biweekly feature looking at seminal moments that have helped shape Jamaica over the past 60 years.
IT was fitting that Jamaica's Government published its 2022 National Honours and Awards on August 6 — Independence Day. Among the recipients is Kenrick "Lord Creator" Patrick, the Trinidadian singer who composed one of the songs that heralded the country's sovereignty 60 years ago.
He will receive the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music. The OD is Jamaica's sixth-highest honour.
Lord Creator's Independent Jamaica, produced by Vincent "Randy" Chin, was a patriotic ska ode that summed up the joyous mood in Jamaica in August 1962. His songs, a blend of ska and calypso from his native Trinidad and Tobago, included Evening News and Don't Stay Out Late.
Typical of artistes in Jamaica back then, Lord Creator recorded for different producers including Chin, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and Clancy Eccles.
Kingsley Goodison, whose King Omar Promotions, honoured Lord Creator in 2004 at its Tribute To The Greats awards show, described him as a singer of quality.
"Creator had a vocal clarity that was easy on the ears. He had no problem fitting in in Jamaica," said Goodison.
Although Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Britain three weeks after Jamaica, Lord Creator lay down roots here as did his countrymen, fellow singer Lord Laro and guitarist Lynn Taitt.
But as the country's music evolved into reggae in the late 1960s his popularity waned and he eventually returned to his homeland.
In 1989 UB40 covered Kingston Town, a song Lord Creator had recorded for Eccles 19 years earlier. Their version appeared on the platinum-selling Labour Of Love II album and was a fairly strong seller in Europe.
It gave Creator — who had suffered a stroke — a financial reprieve and he returned to Jamaica, settling in Montego Bay. During the 1990s' ska/rocksteady craze, he enjoyed a career revival.
Now 82, Lord Creator lives quietly in Hanover.
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