Bob Andy birthday tribute a huge success

Godfrey ‘Bobby’ Anderson, the son of legendary singer and songwriter Bob Andy, was all smiles as he watched the tribute event to his father unfold at Kingston Night Market on Tuesday. It was the eve of what would have been Bob Andy’s 82nd birthday, and family, friends, and fans mingled with the Night Market “regulars” as they celebrated the veteran who was one-half of the iconic duo Bob and Marcia (Griffiths) and a founding member of pioneering ska, rocksteady and reggae vocal group The Paragons.

“This is so wonderful! It is important to honour those singers and songwriters who made sterling contributions to the music. We feel good … we did it!” an exuberant Anderson told The Gleaner. “And Singer J … we couldn’t do it without Singer J. I called my cuz, and he said, ‘Wha yuh mean Bobby? We ah go get this done.’ It’s all divine that this happened this year.”

The event was originally set for last year on Bob Andy’s actual October 28 birthday, but that was the same day that Hurricane Melissa struck. Anderson and his team regrouped and put plans in place for this year for a concert tribute featuring Jheanelle ‘Yinga’ Owens, Empress Chai, Fred Locks, Deh Deh Blacks and Singer J. All were exceptional.

Singer J, who is Bob Andy’s nephew, is passionate about keeping his uncle’s memory alive and ensuring that his talent as a prolific songwriter is highlighted. And that’s exactly what he did, even if it meant that he had to fire a few verbal shots.

“Oonu sing Bob Andy song dem and tour di world and never tell people seh is Bob Andy song,” Singer J said as he smoothly eased into a groove which saw him singing some of the songs that Andy wrote which other artistes covered brilliantly. Songs such as Too Experience and Fire Burning were among the well-known tracks, and a fired-up Singer J placed his uncle on a pedestal.

“See di man who sing dem song yah,” he said, pointing to a huge picture of Bob Andy. “A him a di Boss. If yuh rate Bob Andy seh ‘Gwaan!’ A my uncle dat! All when him dead a one a di greatest,” said Singer J, whose father, Michael Lattibeaudiere – Bob Andy’s brother – was in the audience. Bob Andy’s siblings Cecil and Jacqueline Lattibeaudiere were also marked present.

Singer J, who has carved out his own space musically, didn’t only sing Bob Andy’s songs, he gave a performance that was memorable. Bouncing with energy and soaked with star quality, in between songs, he spoke of the importance of having a “clean heart” like his uncle, who told him that what is important at the end of the day is “the value that you create for your family”.

He closed his set with one of his original songs, a tear-jerker titled Missing You, which also had a profound effect on the singer himself.

“I had to do my best to keep it together when I was performing,” Singer J said afterwards.

The opening act was talented classical-turned-reggae violinist and music teacher, Jheanelle ‘Yinga’ Owens, who was simply delightful.

“Yinga with the Violin Finga”, as she calls herself, worked her magic on Bob Andy’s I’ve Got to Go Back Home and her 2026 single, Yes Now Spanish Town. She earned a well-deserved encore and was followed by Empress Chai, a singer who has been commanding centre stage, having done backing vocals for A-list artistes. Young, Gifted and Black – the version by Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths – was her opening song, which she performed with singer Chase. Reggae Queen Marcia Griffith was in the audience and gave her approval. Empress Chai would return later in the evening to do the classic Bob and Marcia duet, We Belong, with Singer J, and that was pure fire.

For her original song, Empress Chai championed the dreadlocks man, with a message to the baldheads that “ No baldhead invited to dinner … . I need a dreadlocks.” Her approval ratings soared with the women, as one Rasta girl shouted, “Yes Sista, pull it up! Tell dem!”

Pull it up she did, after which she showed her versatility with a jazz-influenced track from her album Peace of Mind. Her encore choice was Lioness on the Rise.

Fred Locks was honest, and he was also entertaining. He admitted that, when he saw how Empress Chai was handling the stage, he got a bit nervous and “start tremble like Richard Kimble”. However, the veteran showed his skill as he connected instantly with the Kingston Night Market crowd, getting up close and into their personal space, saying that in 1968, Bob Andy reached out to assist him with his career. “Him carry mi go Studio One and him give Coxsone [Dodd, producer] a hit song … . Singer J a come sing dem song deh. I give Coxsone a song to, but Coxsone never release my own,” Fred Locks said with a laugh, as he segued into his own hit song, the 1975 roots reggae anthem, Black Star Liner.

Deh Deh Blacks of The Heptones fame put together an entertaining set which gave fans Bob Andy’s 1966 classic rocksteady song, I’ve Got to Go Back Home, his breakout solo hit for the Studio One label

Among the music industry persons who supported the tribute event were Nitty Kutchie, Ras Takura, Michael ‘Lickshot’ Palmer, Sammy Dread, Zebra, BlackSaige, and David Cole.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com