Vintage elite perform on one night

Fans can expect a big retro smash tonight when four of the biggest stars of the reggae/rocksteady era take to the stage.

John Holt, Ken Boothe, George Nooks and Jimmy Riley, all together in one live concert. They will be backed by Lloyd Parkes and We The People. This unusually rich outpouring of musical fabulousness is Studio 38's way to provide a special New Year's treat to loyal friends and patrons. These world-renowned reggae stars are no strangers to Studio 38, having all performed there before. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets are available today at Pulse, 38A Trafalgar Road for $1,500. Tonight tickets are $2,000. The event hotline is 960-0049.

Tonight's epic showcase will feature legends who have maintained a formidable career in ska, rocksteady and reggae that individually span over four decades. This is the latest in a line of stellar performances at Studio 38 over the last two years, featuring such greats as Beres Hammond, Melba Moore, Tarrus Riley, Tanya Stephens, Mavado, Gyptian, Freddie McGregor, Lady Saw, Gregory Isaacs, Tami Chynn, Tessanne Chin, Freddie Jackson, Mighty Diamonds, Pinchers, Leroy Sibbles, Toots and the Maytals, and Admiral Bailey.

the hits

John Holt, hailed as the king of lover's rock, is known for massive hits such as Stick by Me, Wear You To The Ball and Man Next Door, among a slew of hits that made the world take notice of reggae and rocksteady in a way that it never did before. In the process, Holt became one of the greatest and most durable Jamaican music legends of all time.

Ken Boothe is another reggae legend to have emerged in the rocksteady era. Some of his most famous hits which still resonate today include reggae rock classics such as Everything I Own, The Train Is Coming, Set Me Free and Crying Over You. The world also fell in love with the indomitable George Nooks known for songs such as God is Standing By, So Much Love and Tribal War. Like Boothe, Jimmy Riley was also from the rocksteady era and is known for chart-topping hits such as Love and Devotion, Give Thanks and Praise and From the Ghetto. Together they comprise one of the most formidable aggregations of golden stars to ever hit a Jamaican stage.

Because of the overwhelming response so far, in addition to Studio 38's parking lot, additional secure parking is being made available at the Sagicor parking lot on Trafalgar Road in front of the Pulse Centre.