‘More life!’ at Stranger Cole’s thanksgiving service

Chants of “more life!” echoed through the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Wednesday morning as family, friends and fans gathered to celebrate the life of ska, rocksteady and reggae pioneer Theodore Wilburn ‘Stranger’ Cole. And, as the thanksgiving service progressed, it would become clear that “more life” is in store for the singer’s legacy, as Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange shared that there will be “an announcement in another few days when the Government recognises Stranger Cole’s contributions to Jamaican music”.

During the tributes, led by his son Squidly – who effortlessly gave a masterclass in drumming – the musicality and sheer energy of the occasion was astounding. The singers and players of instruments, many of them foundation members of the music industry, were in total harmony as they showcased the creativity, excellence and flair that has made Jamaican music a global force for decades.

They were introduced as Lloyd Parks, Flabba Holt, Dizzy, Bongo Herman, George ‘Firehouse’ Miller, Mr Manning, Errol Graham, Mr Simms, Everol ‘Stingwray’ Wray, Paul ‘Wrong Move now Right Move’ Crossdale, Robbie Lyn, Bo Peep, and Squidly Cole. They smoothly replicated the big bad riddims over which Stranger Cole and his colleagues sang the songs which are now anthems. And it was only too easy to roll back the curtains of time and throw back to the original recording sessions in the big-name studios in Kingston back in the day.

Top-class music aside, there were some poignant moments, too. At 11:30 a.m. Squidly announced that pioneer, legend and icon Ken Boothe, Stranger’s longtime collaborator, was in the house. Minutes later, a dapper Ken Boothe appeared on stage, not the high-energy, dancing ‘Mr Shoes’ as he was affectionately known, but instead was sitting quietly in a wheelchair and had now totally lost his sight. Parkinson’s disease has undoubtedly affected some things, but when Boothe opened his mouth and sang Artibella, complemented by the expert backing from the fat horns section, it was flawless, and the shouts of “more life!” were appropriate. He also sang Uno Dos Tres, another of his duets with Stranger.

Performances also came from The Abyssinians ( Sattamassagana), who somehow always sound just like their records; Michigan, Deh Deh, Lloyd Parks, and Nana EQ alongside Fyah Steam, who did Stranger and Patsy Todd’s 1962 hit, When I Call Your Name. Warrior King performed the classic Bangarang, and neatly spliced in his own hit, Virtuous Woman; Isha Bel did Give Me The Right, up-and-coming singer Ezekia Rose did one song, and Bongo Herman stepped forward out of the band to sing and keep the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre jumping.

Foundation keyboard player Robbie Lyn popped a surprise move when he moved away from the keys and stepped up to the mic and actually sang Stranger’s hit Rough and Tough. His friends shouted, “Robbie, mi neva know yuh coulda sing!”. In between singing, he played a tiny harmonica, making the song sound exactly the way it did when it was first recorded decades ago, and he was right there back in the studio. Another surprise came in the form of Chronixx, who, with an aura of peace and calm, performed two songs which showed his respect for the great Stranger Cole and offered condolences to the family. Although he was named on the programme as one of the performers, many were pleasantly surprised by his appearance and made it known.

The service, officiated by Bishop Shemar Miller and Music Minister Reverend Carlene Davis, officially got underway at 12:36 p.m. During this segment, there were several video tributes from persons across the globe. Among them were Stranger’s son, Phillip, singer Winston ‘Mr Fix It’ Francis, Aston Barrett Jr, Glen Washington, Dean Fraser and Stephen Marley, who referred to Stranger simply as “Daddy”. “Daddy, your legacy and teachings will always live on with I and I. We love you, Daddy,” said Stephen Marley, for whose backing band Squidly is the drummer.

Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information Dana Morris Dixon, whose aunt was married to Stranger Cole, remembered him as a humble man who would always come and visit her grandmother and encourage her to do well scholastically. Although she grew up hearing Stranger Cole’s music, she didn’t realise until long after that he was a big star.

Grange, who managed Stranger Cole, Carlene Davis and other artistes while they were all living in Canada, paid tribute to him as “an individual whose musical exploits transcended his own generation and one who remained committed to his craft throughout his 60-plus-year career”.

“Stranger never lost his relevance. That generation is ageing, but they never lost that passion nor their voice. Ken [Boothe] still has his voice. Stranger was an ambassador whose music carried the resilience of Jamaican people to international audiences. His legacy lives in the music he created and the family he nurtured,” Grange stated.

Funeral arrangements were done by Perry’s Funeral Home and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. Born on June 26, 1940, Stranger Cole died on June 11 while a patient at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com