Howard Campbell, Gleaner writer

Left: Singer/songwriter, Bob Andy, was presented with the Order of Distinction (Commander class). Andy (real name Keith Anderson) was recognised for his contribution to the development of reggae music.   Right: A beaming Boris Gardiner shows off his Order of Distinction (Officer class) which he received during the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King's House on Monday. Gardiner, a bass player and singer/songwriter, was rewarded for his dedicated service to the music industry. - Photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

THE paths of singer/songwriters Bob Andy and Boris Gardiner have crossed many times over the past 45 years, but none was more joyous than on Heroes Day when both received the Order of Distinction during the National Honours and Awards ceremony at King's House.

Andy, 62, is best known for seminal songs like Fire Burning, Unchained and I Want to Go Back Home. His OD, in the Commander class, was for sterling contribution to the development of reggae music.

Gardiner, 63, one of reggae's unheralded heroes, was rewarded in the Officer class.

Besides recording hit songs such as Love's Been Good to Me and I Wanna Wake up With You, he has played bass on some notable songs such as Larry Marshall's Nanny Goat, Junior Murvin's massive Police and Thieves and Young, Gifted and Black, a hit in Britain for Andy and Marcia Griffiths during the early 1970s.

Typically, the soft-spoken Gardiner took his award in stride.

"I've had a heart condition since I was 17, and I never knew I would live this long," he said. "The older I get the heart gets stronger, so under the circumstances I'm pleased."

The dreadlocked Andy said the award was the icing on the cake, for he has received much adulation over the years from the public.

"From the get-go, the Jamaican people have recognised and acknowledged me and I have spent every moment after that making sure that I make good music," he said.

Gardiner is currently working on a new album. Andy's latest album, Reggae Land, co-produced by he and Danny Breakenridge, was recently released.

Interestingly, Lennie Little-White, who directed Andy in the 1978 movie Children of Babylon, also received the OD (Commander class) on Monday. The man behind the popular soap opera, Royal Palm Estate, he was cited for outstanding contribution to comunication and film.

Asley 'Grub' Cooper of Fab Five fame, also received the OD (Commander class) for contribution to the music industry.

Record producer, Lloyd 'King Jammys' James, who has been producing hit songs for almost 30 years, was awarded the OD (Officer rank) for sterling contribution to the music industry.

Another recipient of the OD (Officer rank) was singer/songwriter, Ernie Smith, a prolific hitmaker during the 1970s. He was recognised for his outstanding contribution to music and Jamaica's cultural development.