Forbes happy with Canadian honour

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

If reggae aficionados watch the opening 30 minutes of the 1971 hit film The French Connection closely, they will see a familiar face in the drama-filled bar scene. It's none other than Copeland Forbes, one of Jamaican music's greatest ambassadors.

Forbes never followed up on his cameo role in the Academy Award-winning film that starred Gene Hackman, but has certainly made a mark as reggae's most influential tour manager and booking agent.

On Monday, Forbes and singer Freddie McGregor will be honoured by organisers of the annual Toronto International Jamaica Day for their contribution to reggae music, during a ceremony at the Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston. Both men are celebrating their 49th year in the music business.

Special award

The award is special to Forbes who made his first visit to Canada in 1967 as a member of a scouts troupe and later went on to spearhead several shows there, including Reggae Superfest on which McGregor performed.

"It's a great honour that really means a lot to me," said Forbes, who is in his mid-60s.

Born in west Kingston, Forbes actually started his career as a performer with vocal groups like the Harmony Cats and the Coasters (not the American rock and roll group), but switched to booking and tour promotion in the 1970s when reggae took off internationally.

Forbes has toured as manager or road manager with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Third World, Dennis Brown and the Sly and Robbie-led Taxi Gang. He has also booked countless package tours to Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

The ebullient Forbes says he will release his long-awaited book, Reggae My Life Is, in 2012, which will mark his 50th year in the entertainment industry. One of the tome's promotional stops is scheduled for Toronto.

Toronto International Jamaica Day was first held in 1992 and has become a popular attraction on Canada's West Indian calendar.