House pays tribute to Byron

Members from both sides of the House of Representatives this afternoon paid tribute to the life and work of late musician Byron Lee who lost his fight with cancer.



The leader of the world-famous band, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires was hospitalized at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies after being flown home two weeks ago.



Prime Minister Bruce Golding noted that Byron Lee had brought the best of Jamaica’s music to the world and opened doors of opportunity for young musicians.



And Opposition leader Portia Simpson-Miller described Lee’s contribution to the music industry as an integrating force in the Caribbean.



House Speaker Delroy Chuck noted the impact on the music landscape.



Lee, who was 73, had been fighting transitional cell cancer and was being treated in Miami Florida. He was also diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago.



He was conferred with the Order of Jamaica for outstanding service to the music industry in a special ceremony at the hospital.



Lee had been previously conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander in 2007.



He was born in Manchester on June 27, 1935 to parents Oscar Lee and Evelyn Chung-Lee and educated at Mount St Joseph School in Mandeville where he learnt music, then later at St George’s College in Kingston.



Lee became bandleader of Byron lee and the Dragonaires in 1956, with the band’s first record being released in 1960.



He was the first person to promote live Jamaican music in North America and also introduced carnival to Jamaica placing his million dollar mark on the region’s music.



Other awards Lee received include the Silver Musgrave medal for his contribution to music in 1978 and the institute of Jamaica centenary medal for the development of music in Jamaica in 1981.