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The Gregory Isaacs musical recently completed an uber successful first run on stages across the United Kingdom (UK), and at the centre of it all is Terrence Wallen, the singer who stars as the Cool Ruler himself.
Titled The Cool Ruler: The Musical, it explores the life and music of the legendary reggae singer, who passed away in London on October 25, 2010, at the age of 59. Wallen has been hailed for bringing the enigmatic Gregory Isaacs to life in an almost uncanny way, and in this week’s 5 Questions With feature, he shares just how he managed to pull off that remarkable feat.
Wallen, who is also a published author and a humanitarian, will be performing in Jamaica at Reggae Sumfest on July 19, where he will be part of a Gregory Isaacs tribute. “I am so blessed to be performing with artistes [like] Tarrus Riley, Toni Braxton and others on the line-up. I’m over the moon to be backed by Lloyd Parks and Dean Frazer. It’s a dream come true for me. Being able to get out to a wider audience of listeners at Sumfest will give me the opportunity to do more humanitarian work,” Wallen shared.
Post Reggae Sumfest, he will embark on a United States tour with the musical in places such as Miami, California, Atlanta, Connecticut and New York.
1. How did your journey with Gregory Isaacs begin?
At eight years old, my late brother – may his soul rest in peace – bought the Gregory Isaacs Lonely Lover album. He was Jamaican-born ... and he played it non-stop, and I fell in love with Gregory’s music. It was very much reggae for me since I was young. I didn’t get into R&B or dancehall music. More personally, my love for Gregory’s slow ballads and crooning voice just grew.
2. How did you get chosen for the role in the musical, and what was the preparation like?
Bagga John Productions was looking for somebody to play Gregory Isaacs, and he heard about me. They contacted my manager, and he sent videos of me performing. And Bagga John was [like], ‘Wow, this guy looks like Gregory, he sounds like Gregory, he’s got all the Gregory Isaacs characteristics’.
Credit to all the Gregory Isaacs tribute acts because we are all aiming for one goal: to keep the Cool Ruler’s legacy alive. I was chosen because I probably stood out slightly more than the others. Once I was given the role, the preparation was continuous. I did rehearsals. I studied videos, I studied his craft, I studied every part of Gregory Isaacs’s performances and also to get a feel of his personality.
I had met Gregory Isaacs a few times when he came to the UK, so I was aware of his wit, his humour, and his [mannerisms]. I studied my craft really hard, and I executed to the best of my ability, and everyone loved it.
3. What was it like performing as Gregory Isaacs onstage in front of hundreds of his adoring fans?
I have done Gregory Isaacs shows before and have performed in front of hundreds of his fans, but this was performing in front of thousands of fans, and it was truly amazing. The crowd loved it ... the energy, the noise, the sing-a-longs. Once I start performing, I encompass the Gregory Isaacs persona, and the fans received it so well. It was beautiful ... all the shows were sold out in the UK. I peaked at every show, and every single show was different. It was electrifying.
4. A patron described you as “the impeccable, perfect Gregory”. How does this make you feel?
Wow! That kind of endorsement from a Gregory fan tells me that I am doing it right. And, of course, to get extra endorsement from June Isaacs, Gregory’s widow and Copeland Forbes, who is an iconic stalwart in the music business and was Gregory’s manager for years and artistes like Tarrus Riley, Glen Washington ... they all came to the show and gave me endorsements and big-ups. It’s amazing when I hear dem say ‘You are Gregory reincarnated’ or ‘The new Gregory’.
5. Was it ever a part of your plan to pursue singing as a full-time career?
I love doing Gregory Isaacs; it’s very therapeutic for me. I was doing it just for the love of the music, not as a career. It wasn’t meant to be a career, but it seems like it is going that way now.
BRAWTA: What are your top 5 favourite Gregory Isaacs songs?
Slave Master, Front Door, O What a Feeling, Number One and The Border. No ... mek it six. Please squeeze in Night Nurse. I love to perform that song.
English (US) ·