Musical farewell for Denroy Morgan
IN a fitting climax to the thanksgiving service for the life of Denroy Morgan on April 9 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew, his family performed a rousing rendition of his song I’ll do Anything For You.
It was a joyous occasion with a throng of the singer’s relatives, including many of his children and grandchildren, joining members of Morgan Heritage to sing and dance to their patriarch’s signature song, which was a big hit in 1981.
Morgan, who died March 3 in Atlanta, Georgia, at age 76, was remembered by speakers as a spiritual man with a strong sense of family and an unyielding love for Jamaica. He passed those traits on to his children, five of whom comprised Grammy winners Morgan Heritage.
Peetah, lead singer for that band, came straight to the venue from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston. He recalled his father’s plans to relocate to Jamaica in the early 1990s after over 20 years living in the United States.
“Wi seh, ‘Daddy, wherever yuh a guh, wi a guh wid yuh.’ So we came to Jamaica and that’s where Morgan Heritage got our start. Jamaica accepted us, and then the world accepted us, so we want to say, ‘Thank you to Jamaica for accepting the Morgan family, our music and everything,” Peetah told the audience, most of whom were dressed in white.
Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange also saluted Morgan.
“He’s really father of a nation, and now that he’s gone to rest I think that the family can be happy and pleased that you gave to the world a wonderful human being, a priest, and someone we can all be proud of,” she said.
In a video-taped message, former prime minister of Jamaica P J Patterson said Morgan espoused the values that seem lost to Jamaica.
“Given the present breakdown in the patterns of our social behaviour and the sad deterioration of traditional standards, the lyrics he innovated and the guidance that inspiration he provided to his children represents the most invaluable lessons that must give life to the nation for the way forward, from one who stood as an apostle for peace, unity and love,” Patterson stated.
There were also recollections from master of ceremonies Dennis Howard; Sangie Davis of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, of which Morgan was a member; Opposition Senator Damion Crawford; music producer/engineer Shane Brown; music producer Lloyd “King Jammys” James; Mutabaruka; broadcaster Elise Kelly; and Shaggy.
The messages were complemented by performances from Bushman, Dean Fraser, and Bongo Herman. Morgan Heritage’s tribute included their hit song Down By The River, while member Gramps Morgan performed an emotional rendition of his solo effort There’s A Place For People Like You.
Born in Clarendon, Denroy Morgan migrated to the United States in the mid-1960s. Initially he lived in Florida, but moved to New York where his career took off with The Black Eagles Band.
In 1981, Morgan scored his biggest success with the disco-flavoured I’ll do Anything For You.