THE SIXTH annual 'Tribute to the Greats' will be giving Ken Boothe and Alton Ellis 'Immortal Awards' on August 2, at Curphey Place, Swallowfield Road, Kingston.
The series, which combines awards and performances, was designed to honour the persons who contributed to the creation of the Jamaican music industry, especially those who have gone unrecognised over the years.
The 2003 instalment of King Omar Promotions' Tribute to the Greats was launched at Black's Cafe, 8 Kensington Crescent on Monday night. "My duty here on earth now is to see that the starters, the originators, are honoured," explained Kingsley Goodison, the event producer. Goodison explained that because of that he is not concerned with the honouring of dancehall greats, since that duty will have to fall to someone else.
Ken Boothe has been performing for 38 years, and shows no signs of retiring anytime soon. The crooner remains famous because of hits such as Everything I Own, Freedom Street and The Train Is Coming.
The second Immortal Award recipient, Alton Ellis, has also had an extensive career and continues to perform. Ellis earned his fame through songs such as Girl I've Got A Date, Willow Tree, I'm Just a Guy and Sitting in the Park.
Tribute to the Greats will also give a special award to Boy's Town. Interestingly, both Ken Boothe and Alton Ellis are products of Boy's Town. Boy's Town, which was founded by Reverend Hugh Sherlock, began as a home for boys but has since evolved into much more, enveloping the community around it. Bob Marley and Peter Tosh are included on the list of performers who passed through Boy's Town. Boy's Town old boys, Bunny and Scully will perform on Tributes To the Great.
The other awardees of the night are less well-known. Ken Khouri, credited with creating Jamaica's first record company, Records Limited, will receive the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'.
Promoter Junior Lincoln, who has reportedly been a dance promoter since age 13, will be given the 'Pioneer Award'. Along with dances in Jamaica, Lincoln was the promoter of Sunsplash London.
TWO AWARDS
Two awards will be given to sound system operators and dance promoters. Rupert (John) Nation, who made his fame under the alias 'Sir Nation the Conqueror', will receive one of the 'Sound System Operator Awards'. Nation operated the 1950s sound which played across Kingston at venues such as Chocomo Lawn and Savoy Lawn. Another 1950s promoter will get the second award. Gresham White will get the award for his operation of the sound system, Doc's Thunder Storm.
The sole female awardee for the event will get one of the 'Dance Promoter Awards'. Lenora Powell, who is also known as 'Mama Lee' and 'Lloyd (Milo) Wright' will be given the 'Dance Promoter' awards. Both promoters were prolific during the 1950s and 1960s.
The final awardee of the night, will be Ron ('School Boy') Wilson, who will receive the 'Top Sound System Disc Jockey Award'. School Boy is of the Trojan school of deejays, having spent his career working with sound system operator Duke Reid.
