Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter
Reggae artiste, Marcia Griffiths, is still very stylish and sexy. Here she performs during a tribute to fellow foundation musician, Byron Lee, on the final night of Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006 at Cinnamon Hill, in Montego Bay on January 29. Byron Lee was celebrating his 50th year in the music industry. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer
The Energizer Bunny must stop at some point regardless of the fact that it is supposed to keep going and going. But, perhaps a few of Jamaica's most long-serving entertainers would make a perfect pitch to advertise the ongoing tenure of the Bunny.
Some of these stars continue to be a beacon in the industry and there is no sign of letting up anytime soon. We are talking about decades of authentic Jamaican reggae music, which is just as lively as it was then. But what is it that makes the artistes so perpetual?
Studio One is responsible for the dawning of many of the artistes who continue to take the world by storm. But after the much sought after 'buss', they have continued to maintain the oomph that made them and still makes them special and refreshing.
INSPIRATION
She got her inspiration from Aretha Franklyn, but Marcia Griffiths has come into her own as an authentic daughter of real reggae music. "I am really blessed to be one of the only female vintage performers," Griffiths said. But, her abilities and style are way above and beyond the vintage shows. She is currently on tour of the United States with Beres Hammond.
The Marcia Griffiths story is a familiar one. At age 12, she was put onstage to perform with the Philip James Blues Buster Band. "It was beautiful. I never doubt myself in anything I do. I was more anxious to go onstage but never nervous and here I am today," she said in an interview with The Sunday Gleaner.
It is, however, not a coincidence that she is still around and as vibrant as ever. The lady who was one of the 'three little birds' known as the I-Threes, finds it necessary to pay closer attention to what she eats and the amount of exercise she gets. "I stay away from red meat and dairy products. No matter how broke I am, I will pay my last dollar on organic food. No fertiliser for me," she said. "You are a product of what you eat."
But despite her love for performing, Griffiths says the treatment she gets from some promoters is the only thing that sometimes makes her think about throwing in the towel. "It is disappointing to put your heart and soul out in a performance and then the only satisfaction you get comes only from your fans," she said.
But do not worry, Griffiths will not be going anywhere soon if she has anything to do with it. She plans on staying true to the line, "I shall sing as long as I live."
Another popular vintage act, Ken Boothe does not want to be defined by his age. But instead, he is living life the way he wants. After 41 years as a performer, Boothe has seen it all. Time has changed and so has the dynamics of reggae music. But one thing remains constant, his devout fans.
Boothe grew up in a family that was big on entertainment with much inspiration coming from his mother and also his older sister, Hyacinth Clover, who is a singer. "Music is something that was born in every one of us. But it come out more in some people," Boothe said.
LEADING REGGAE ARTISTES
But, the experience of being one of the country's leading reggae artistes is not quite fulfilled unless the artiste has a milestone achievement that defines him. Boothe has had many such experiences. With songs, such as, Everything I Own and Crying Over You appearing on international charts, the little island was not enough to contain his talent. Teaming up with Shaggy for the remix of the song The Train Is Coming for the soundtrack of the movie, Money Train is also a highlight of his illustious career.
Boothe says it is his relationship with the Lord which has brought him thus far. This is why he has decided to lend some of his talent to spreading the gospel with his album, Door to Door.
And that might just be the reason his fitness comes strictly from his performances. "I stay busy and do a lot of shows. That his my exercise," he said.
There will come a time when he will probably not be able perform as he would like, but that call will come from the Almighty, he says. Boothe will continue to burn his incense and myrrh before he enters the stage.
And another man, who has worked with Ken Boothe and just about every vintage artiste, is Lloyd Parkes. A vintage show is not a vintage show without Lloyd Parkes. His name has become synonymous with the authentic reggae sound, both locally and internationally. From playing on his one string guitar made from sardine can at his uncle's Cross Road restaurant, to becoming one of this county's most sought-after musicians, Parkes' marvel will not likely be forgotten.
He formed the Lloyd Parkes and We The People band in 1975 and today they are still going strong. "I realised I had it in me. It is a physical thing as well as a mental one," Parkes said.
FIX-IT ABILITIES
As a result of his stalwart approach to music, artistes today sometimes still rely too much on his fix-it abilities. They sometimes do not turn up for rehearsals, but that does not stop him from putting on his best. "Your last show is always your mark, it is the best. It is what you are capable of doing," Parkes said. "I have to be myself at all times like a boxer." He attributes his stamina to his vegetarian diet.
To date, his performance with John Holt and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra remains the highlight of his career. It was an experience that was worth more than the money value for him.
So what is it that keeps him going? "There is something telling me that the industry needs me," he says. Some one ask me 'what would people do if something should happen to me?'"
The question proved to him that the world is not ready to see him go. Now that he has found God at the Church on the Rock, some of the load he once had is now lighter. "I pray about everything I do," Parkes says. Another key thing is rest. And for his work in the field of music, the nation's fifth highest honour, the Order of Distinction, was bestowed on him.
And to continue in their steadfast and unrelenting approach to giving back to music, both Parkes and Griffiths are on the Reggae Sunsplash line-up this year. They, and other performers, such as, John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Alton Ellis and Gregory Isaccs, prove that being vintage does not mean being outdated. They just keep going and going.
