Studio 38 audience, the last to see Gregory

Those who turned up at Studio 38 on Trafalgar Road on July 25 this year witnessed something they cannot soon forget.

They were the last to witness a performance from Gregory 'The Cool Ruler' Isaacs in Jamaica.

On July 21, a Gleaner headline had read, 'Gregory to liven up Studio 38'.

"Gregory Isaacs, the king of lovers' rock and one of the most prolific, chart-topping megastars in Jamaica's musical history, will perform live at Studio 38 on Sunday," the article read.

On Sunday July 25, Gregory did perform. It was a shorter stint than he normally did. The short bursts had become a feature of his performances, fuelling rumours his health was failing.

The rumours were correct and this was to be the last time Isaacs would be seen on a stage.

Mel Cooke, a Gleaner writer, had penned the 'Cool Ruler's' final moments in front of an audience.

'Cool, Studded with Diamonds at Studio 38' was the headline, which pointed to the fact that Isaacs was not alone, and had been joined in providing entertainment by the Mighty Diamonds, a group he would have been familiar with over the years.

"The prospect of Gregory Isaacs and The Mighty Diamonds on the same bill in up-close-and-personal format is an intriguing one," the article began.

"On paper, Isaacs has the hits to stay all night, from the signature Night Nurse through to the wry personal commentary, Hard Drugs.

Brilliant performances

However, over at least the past decade, his Jamaican performances have been tantalisingly brief and he has not closed a concert," Mel's missive explained.

Though short, Isaacs' performances were brilliant and there was never a person in the audience disappointed, save for the fact they would have wanted more.

"It was a blast and a singalong from start to finish, Number One through to Hard Drugs, his encore song with the standard stage re-entry of "dem still want more", which never fails to thrill the audience," the article explained. Gregory always did an encore, and while his shows were short, he gave everything he had to them.

"His jacket came off, though and somewhere between Tune In and Top Ten, the knot of the red tie loosened and one side of his shirt came out of his waistband by Love is Overdue."

Isaacs was expending his energy and nobody knew he had been fighting lung cancer for the last year, still "The hat stayed firmly in place, through the roars for Night Nurse, the interjection of Private Secretary and after Rumours and Border".

"It was still there when he closed with I Don't Want To Be Lonely Tonight."

"His stiff-legged hop off stage and disappearance behind a speaker box was brief, as naturally "dem still want more" and were happy with the dose of Hard Drugs which Isaacs gave."

Isaacs has passed, but as radio stations all around played his music throughout yesterday proved, his music hasn't.