Byron Lee gets OJ
Published:Monday | October 27, 2008 | 1:24 PM
Musician Byron Lee has been conferred with the Order of Jamaica for outstanding service to the music industry.
The award was conferred on him during a special ceremony at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies, yesterday.
Lee, who received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander in 2007, was presented with the Order of Jamaica by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall.
Yesterday’s ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Culture minister, Olivia Grange and close family and friends.
Addressing the ceremony, Golding praised the leader of the world-famous band, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
He said Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires had entertained, inspired and mesmerized three generations of Jamaicans.
He acknowledged that it was the band, led by Lee, which had brought Carnival to Jamaica.
73-year-old Lee has been fighting transitional cell cancer and was being treated in Miami Florida.
He was also diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago and returned to Jamaica by air ambulance on Saturday.