Most memorable moments at Red Rose for Gregory
Published:Wednesday | May 17, 2023 | 1:11 AM
Band leader Lloyd Parks honoured by the Gregory Isaacs Foundation
The veteran bass player, vocalist and leader of Lloyd Parks and We the People Band was the recipient of a plaque in honour of his contribution to reggae music and the career of singer Gregory Isaacs. In 1974, Parkes founded the We the People Band, who backed Gregory Isaccs and Dennis Brown on tour for decades and was a regular at Reggae Sunsplash and Reggae Sumfest festivals. Parks’ band also backed John Holt, along with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London in 2000. The band at one time also included Parks’ daughter Tamika on keyboards and his son, Craig ‘Leftside’ Parks, on drums.
JC Lodge masters the art of onstage wardrobe changes
Last Sunday evening at Red Rose for Gregory, singer JC Lodge showed exactly what it means to have a dress plan. She entered the stage robed in a floor-length cape and looking rather elegant. But, less than midway into her performance she disrobed to reveal a fabulous dress, but all was not what it seemed. Then towards the end of her performance, there was another onstage wardrobe change. Off went the bottom half of the dress, which actually turned out to be a skirt, to reveal a flirty miniskirt, paired with the low-cut top. By this time, the audience was on the edge of their seats waiting for the next reveal. It didn’t come, but emcee Ron Muschette wondered out loud what would have happened if JC Lodge had a few more songs to sing.
Richie B a member of The Manhattans?
Everyone knows that when it comes to radio, Richie B is the man with ‘the voice’ . However, last Sunday night, Richie B put on a jacket and black pants that transformed him into the fourth member of international R&B group The Manhattans. The three-member group and the Jamaican broadcaster were dressed in similar jackets, and by all accounts it was purely coincidental. “I was shocked when I saw them walk out on stage,” Richie B said with a laugh.
Deniece Williams calls out Minister Grange and her party
“Are you all okay?” was the first question that Grammy Award-winning singer Deniece Williams directed to Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange and her party, who were sitting directly front of stage. Just as Williams’ performance got under way, the organisers decided to ask Minister Grange and her party to get up for a bit so that they could reposition the plush settees on which they were seated. Job completed. However, the iconic singer was forced to ask another question when Grange started to unofficially hold court as members of the music fraternity showed up to greet her. “Who is this lady?” she asked. At the end of her performance, Richie B explained who Grange was, and even shared that it was the minister who “discovered” him and gave him a chance on radio. A gracious Williams told Grange, “Oh, I understand. It’s your show, too.”
Niney the man in the blue shirt and white hat
Producer and singer Winston ‘Niney’ Holness is a superstar in his own right. A key figure in the creation of many classic reggae recordings dating from the 1970s and early 1980s, Niney played a major role in launching the career of Dennis Brown. On Saturday night, the dapper Niney also showed up front of stage to hail up Minister Grange, earning for himself a shout-out from Deniece Williams: “The man in the blue shirt and white hat”. The audience laughed, and Niney chuckled as he walked away.
“Red Rose for Gregory was an excellent show and the promoters did a great job of selecting the right people for the bill,” Niney told The Gleaner.