Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

A 35-year tradition came to Jamaica in literally 'smashing' fashion on Saturday night, as Hard Rock Café Ocho Rios was opened at 4 Main Street in the St. Ann business capital.

After the speeches and some of the songs, three guitars were smashed simultaneously against concrete blocks in front of the stage at 11:05 p.m., the sole acoustic one shattering almost totally.

Smashed guitars

However, the two electric guitars gave as much damage, too, as they got from to the six-inch blocks they were swung against repeatedly before they were deemed sufficiently smashed, dismantled guitars and removed from the scene before Yerba Buena took the opening party into Latin territory.

It was close to the end of the official launch of the 8,000 square feet Hard Rock Café Ocho Rios which will seat 180 diners, the latest addition to a chain of rock-theme restaurants where dining, live performances and dancing will be the order of the day and night.

A release from Hard Rock said that at the newest of over 120 cafés in 45 countries "the guests will enjoy great food, rock n' roll atmosphere and reggae music. They will also be provided with a high energy atmosphere, thus creating a musical experience our guests will never forget."

Hard Rock Café Ocho Rios actually opened for business on November 22 last year, one of five locations to be opened in 2006.

Black Zebra played the rock on Saturday night to the sometimes cacophonous crowd which turned out for the glitzy, red carpet affair, complete with stretch limousine at the door and slender lasses in clinging red outfits at the steps just past the door to Hard Rock memorabilia, leading to the dining and dancing area above.

After exploring things that happen 'in this life', Stevie Wonder's Superstition got real rock treatment from Black Zebra, to the appreciation of the audience.

The blend of rock and reggae was underscored by the selections in between Black Zebra's crescendo of a close and the guitar smashing, Junior Gong's Welcome to Jamrock and Junior Reid's One Blood among a number of songs to rock the crowd.

Memorabilia

There is also a lot to see on the walls of the café as well, with mostly rock and also some reggae memorabilia on the wall.

Among them is a bustier over a black bust, a plaque noting that "this gold fabric bra with multi-coloured beads was worn by Madonna during her 1993 Girlie Show tour."