Reggae Sunsplash’s 1982 crowd was one of the largest ever in the festival's history. The undeniable star of the night was Yellow Man, whose electrifying one-hour set kept the audience in a frenzy, especially with his hit Thank You Jah-Jah For Giving Me The Colour, and the crowd-pleaser, Getting Divorced In The Evening. The night also featured standout acts like Eek-A-Mouse, Sister Nancy, and Johnny Osbourne, who all delivered unforgettable performances. The show's energy and security were on point, making it one of the most memorable nights in Reggae Sunsplash history.

Published Saturday, August 7, 1982

Biggest-ever crowd jams ‘Sunsplash’

- Yellow Man steals show

Gleaner Western Bureau

THE SECOND NIGHT

(Thursday) of Reggae Sunsplash turned  out to be a phenomenal, record-breaking event, with an estimated 40,000 people jamming the Jarrett Park venue, Montego Bay, to witness the international music festival.

The crowd was said to be the largest ever to attend the music festival, now in the fifth year.

It was the inimitable Yellow Man who walked off with all the glory as he got the audience completely wrapped up in his one-hour performance, which lasted until 7:30 a.m. yesterday.

This 'Prince of Deejays' seemed to have been on his best-ever, because he kept the crowd screaming for “more Yellow Man” with such intense longing, it seemed as if they had never before enjoyed such thrilling music.

Or perhaps it was the creativity and novelty of the presentation which got across to the crowd, for Yellow Man opened his act with a new shot titled Thank You Jah-Jah For Giving Me The Colour. (He is albino).

Then he went through his hit songs and crowned the show with Getting Divorced In The Evening, an obvious turnabout on his number one song. Getting Married In The Morning.

MOST OF THE OTHER performing artistes were also at their best, with Eek-A-Mouse opening the night’s show in a splendour of lively lyrics. The very impressed crowd asked for an encore at the end of his act and Eek-A-Mouse put on the icing with Virgin Girl.

The night really belonged to the deejays, whether male or female, for Sister Nancy, who came on as sort of forerunner to Yellow Man, rhymed her way into the hearts of the large audience with her famous hit songs and a new one titled, What A Bam Bam. She was very well received.

So, too, was Papa Ritchie, who showed signs of great improvement with every new song rendered. The Gladiators also turned in a scintillating performance, continuing the trend of excellence. Johnny Osbourne did not fail to sweeten the night’s show, especially with his much-applauded rendition of Ice-Cream Love.

Holding his own also was Glen Rice who, along with Carlene Davis, proved that reggae music has a future well invested in its young artistes.

For Carlene, it was a night to remember as she got the crowd to sing along with her both in the spirit and rhythm of Love and Harmony. Her caressing rendition of her number one song, As old Friends Do,  saw the crowd going wild with emotion.

Chalice, as was expected, caused a great air among the crowd by their unique musical presentations. Comments like “Good showing”, and “Well put together” were some of the compliments paid by members of the audience. Israel Vibration, a trio of talented, though disabled performers, had a whole side of the huge crowd for themselves. The singers made the night for at least one listener who listed them as his “No. 1 performer for the night”.

Both Macaw and Aswad Bands added their touch of finesse to the show, with the former group giving a lesson or two in the art of singing Rhythm and Blues.

The Astronauts were quite impressive in their performance, once again managing to convey the spirit and message of their Festival winning song Mek We Jam to their listeners and watchers.

THE SHOW WAS AS LIVELY as emcee Barry Gordon himself, who never failed to keep pace with the tempo of the reggae carnival, thus enabling artistes and audience alike to fall in line.

Security was seemingly tighter than the previous night’s, with police personnel covering all strategic areas inside and outside the park in conspicuously large numbers.

Tonight’s show is expected to climax what has been termed the greatest reggae festival.

Such singing stars as Twinkle Brothers, A. J. Brown, Leroy Smart, Steel Pulse, Trinity Michigan and Smiley, Dennis Brown, Lloyd Parkes and We The People, as well as Marcia Griffiths, the 'Queen of Reggae', are billed to perform.

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