Sat | May 9, 2026

Merritone enjoys strong 60th anniversary celebration

Published:Sunday | October 24, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Pause
There was a large turnout and fun all around at The Deck on Monday night, as Merritone's 60th anniversary celebrations ended with a 'Las Lik' in New Kingston.
This couple was one of many keeping in close contact on the dance floor at Merritone's 60th anniversary 'Las Lik', held at The Deck, New Kingston, on Monday night.
Craig Ross at the controls as Merritone closed its 60th anniversary celebration with its traditional 'Las Lik' at The Deck, New Kingston, on Monday night. - Photos by Mel Cooke
1
2
3

Nearly a week ago The Deck on Trafalgar Road, New Kingston, was packed with merry folk of all ages as Heroes Day turned into another working day, although those who jammed on the jammed dance floor to selections from Craig Ross did not seem overly mindful of having to punch the clock in a few hours.

It was Merritone's traditional 'Las Lik', capping off a 60th anniversary season that had seen the sound system do its cross country trek, from the return to St Thomas roots in Prospect on one side of the island, to the weekend at the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay on the other.

Plus, there were multiple stops in Kingston. It was also the 20th anniversary of Merritone's Reunion and Homecoming.

Greetings and Under Pressure, Buju Banton's Browning and Black Woman moved the party people enjoying the 2010 'Las Lik', the songs played out for extended appreciation. Significantly, men and women dancing together - and dancing closely, despite the night not yet into R&B selections - was the norm, rather than the exception as is often the case at parties.

Monty Blake of Merritone says the 60th anniversary celebration was "very successful. The turnout was spectacular. We had more people from abroad than we had had before. The hotel was completely sold out".

"When you fuse locals and foreigners it is a good synergy," Blake said.

homecoming

The Diamond anniversary celebrations for the sound system, the oldest still currently active in Jamaica, and Platinum landmark for the homecoming and reunion fell in the heavy rain period. One event, 'Merritone Remembering Cynthia Schloss' at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel gardens, was rained out totally, as was the musical nod to Kingston College. The 'Return to Roots', Blake said, "got a little touch, but it went on".

In Montego Bay, a 'Merritone Village' of about 100 rooms was carved out, the entertainment package a blend of live performances and Merritone's selections. Blake pointed out that the hotel's regular entertainment package was incorporated into the celebrations, so on one night Eddie Bonnick performed as slated, in addition to Michael Schloss from the Merritone package.

Jasmine Black, Tony Gregory, Gem Myers and Nambo Robinson and Idren Workshop all performed at the Sunset Beach, Blake happily saying that the weekend "sell off". And a new feature was introduced, which is intended to be standard from now on, a candle lit and the Merritone family members who have passed on remembered.

There was dance, too, from the Hatfield Dancers, Merritone music a standard throughout the celebrations. Plus, there was the 'Gospel According to Merritone', complete with tambourines, which Blake said "to me was one of the highlights of the whole thing".

Blake emphasises that "in these hard times we could pull in so many people to fill the hotel" and surmises what would have happened if they had the budget to promote it properly overseas. Concluding that it was the best staging since the 50th anniversary, Blake said over the celebrations "there was never a dull moment. It was really, really wonderful".

- M.C.