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Reggae’s Cool Ruler, Gregory Isaacs, would have celebrated his 75th birthday on Tuesday, and naturally there is a buzz around this milestone diamond jubilee. Red Roses are an integral part of the celebration for the legend whose Red Rose for Gregory is both the title of one of his iconic hits as well as his 11-track lovers’ rock and roots reggae album released in 1988 by RAS Records.
Led by his widow, June Isaacs, the Gregory Isaacs Foundation will host a floral tribute at Dovecot on Tuesday, starting at 10 am, and there will also be a concert at Kingston Night Market in the evening featuring Lloyd Parkes, Flourgon, Little John, Josey Wales, Lone Ranger, Mary Isaacs, Triston Palmer and Arlene Naphtali, with music by Stone Love with Geefus.
Going into details, June outlined the day’s activities.
“This year, family members, friends and members of the foundation will be gathering at his graveside at Dovecot and we will be laying 75 precious red roses on his headstone,” June told The Gleaner.
“We will be having some drumming by Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and Bongo Herman who played with Gregory in Roots Radics Band from its inception. Later in the evening, we will gather at the Kingston Night Market where other singers will pay a tribute to him. Each one will do a Gregory song, but they will do songs from their own catalogue as well. Later down in the week, on the 19th, Reggae Sumfest will be paying a tribute to him as well, as we celebrate Gregory Isaacs’s 75th,” she added.
Sharing that, Terrence Wallen, the singer who recently played the role of Gregory Isaacs in The Cool Ruler: The Musical in the UK, will be the featured performer on the special tribute on the Sumfest stage, June took a step back in time and recalled her late husband’s last performance at the reggae festival.
“Gregory’s last Reggae Sumfest performance was way back in 1999 when he was asked to do a tribute to his best friend, Dennis Brown, who had just passed. I don’t think his mood was good at that time, because he had just lost his good friend. Dennis died July 1 and Sumfest was just a few weeks after, so I can just imagine what he went through at that time. Gregory was very deeply affected by Dennis Brown’s death and I can say that that was the first time I’d ever seen him cry. All of us were in Brazil ... came back together well ... but then Dennis took sick a few days after that, so I know it touched him badly,” June said.
Asked if she could picture what Gregory would have been like at 75, June’s mood changed and she gave a chuckle before answering.
“It’s hard to imagine what Gregory would be at 75. He would have grand-kids ... a grey-bearded grand-dad [laughs]. I know that he had problems with his legs, so he would perhaps be walking with a little limp. And, of course, still singing. One thing I know is that he wouldn’t have retired from touring at all. He would maybe cut back on some of the long flights. Music is his life and Gregory loved touring. He loves spreading reggae music all over the world and he enjoys being on the road with his musicians. He loves his fans and he would try to satisfy them wherever they are,” June shared with The Gleaner.
As the person who probably knew Gregory Isaacs best, June said that the Night Nurse singer would usually start off his birthday with an early morning trip to the beach where “he would get himself a nice wash off and thank God for another year”.
“Gregory was always giving, even when times weren’t the easiest for him, and so we want to keep up his legacy with events and projects that reflect who he was as a man,” June is quoted in a press release.
In celebration of Isaacs’ birthday on July 15, the foundation is using the hashtag #CoolRuler75 and is asking media houses, social media content creators and event promoters to honour him by playing his music throughout the day. Fans are encouraged to post a Gregory Isaacs memory, song, or photos. The 75th celebration will continue for the rest of the calendar year with music scholarships/grants, a book launch and the showcase of The Cool Ruler: The Musical in the US and Jamaica.
English (US) ·