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Winds as powerful as the words that Junior Byles sang seemed to pay homage to the late entertainer as they swept mightily through the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Monday afternoon during the service of thanksgiving for his life.
The fierce winds took centrestage as they disrupted the proceedings, blowing over some of the creative decorations courtesy of Bridgett Anderson, threatening to topple the tent and even temporarily halting the tribute given by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.
Persons had their own interpretations as to the meaning of this totally unexpected phenomenon, and the general feeling was one of desperate calm even as persons tried to shield from the overpowering dust while others whispered “Jah Jah”.
In her tribute, Minister Grange spoke of Junior Byles’s artistry, which “reminds of the power of the voice in being authentic, in being fearless, and being purposeful”.
“Junior’s legacy reminds us to protect, preserve, and promote the values of consciousness, community, and creativity that defines our cultural identity. Life of a man whose music did more than just entertain. One of Jamaica’s great roots reggae artistes, his powerful voice and thought-provoking lyrics made his music stand out, and his death has left a huge void in the industry,” Grange said.
She praised him as a songwriter and a storyteller who was honest and noted that “his voice didn’t just carry melody. It carried pain, it carried joy, it carried the full weight of a man who had seen struggle but still believed in better”.
Minister Grange’s tribute was followed by the eulogy from one of Byles’s daughters, Christine, who, on her way to the podium, stopped to dramatically salute her father’s closed coffin and kneel beside it.
Eloquent and austere, Christen praised “a man whose voice echoed far beyond the stage and whose love was felt like a message wrapped in rhythm, always relevant and always real”.
She spoke of his presence as being unforgettable and emphasised that he was genuine.
“When my dad sang, he wasn’t just performing, he was pouring out his soul, and people listened not just with their ears, but with their hearts. To the world he was a voice for justice, for unity, for truth. He was a vessel of light in dark times ... and he gave the best of himself to God and his family,” Christen said.
She closed just as dramatically as she had started: “Loyalty, Dad! Loyalty over everything, Dad! Now the real work begins.”
Although her eulogy gave the distinct impression that she was his only child, two more of Junior Byles’s daughters, Sheryl and Kamella, were present, and they did the first and second readings on the programme.
Opposition Spokesperson on Culture Dr Deborah Hickling-Gordon paid tribute to Junior Byles on behalf of Opposition Leader Mark Golding.
“The linkages that Junior Byles forged in that musically historically, significant era of our nation changed his personal trajectory. It was an era when reggae music was finding its footing as the conscience of the nation. Junior Byles emerged not just as a singer but as a vessel of truth. His voice filled with raw emotion and righteous fury necessary of the time gave us songs like Chant Down Babylon, Curly Locks and Fade Away. The words of Fade Away have particular contemporary resonance,” Hickling-Gordon declared.
Junior Byles’s five sisters — Vivienne, Sally, Deyanne, Janet, and Marcia — were all present to give their brother, Chubby, the send-off he deserved.
“Chubby was a kind, loving person who had his fishes and his guinea pigs. He was older than me, and I remember him lovingto box. He wanted to be Cassius Clay. My older sister says that he even bought boxing gloves for her, and she and him used to box until her hands sore,” Deyanne told The Gleaner.
“As a family, we noticed that he wasn’t doing well mentally, but even with his illness, he continued to make beautiful music. He singing was a blessing to himself and others because he loved the singing more than anything else that he tried,” she added.
The Binghistra drummers, led by legendary guitarist, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, was in charge of the musical tributes prior to the official start of the service.
The thanksgiving service was not as packed as Saturday night’s farewell concert at the same venue, and veteran musician Bongo Herman made his displeasure known to all who would listen. “Where all a dem who did deh yah Saturday night all a fight ova mic? A today dem fi deh yah. Mek di whole a dem guh way,” said Bongo.
The Minstry of Culture, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, Claude ‘Big Stone’ Sinclair, and VP Records all played an integral role in Monday’s celebration of the life of Junior Byles.
Junior Byles passed away on May 15 at the Kingston Public Hospital. He was 77.
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