PIONEER sound system man, Winston 'King Stitt' Sparks, will be honoured for his contribution to the development of Jamaica's popular music at a Labour Day dance in downtown Kingston.

The dance, featuring several veteran sound systems, takes place at the Afrique Pub at the intersection of Harbour and King streets.

Musicologist Bunny Goodison, whose Mighty Burner 'sound' is scheduled to play, said the 67-year-old Stitt will be presented with a plaque marking his over 50 years in the music business.

According to Goodison, Stitt's accomplishments are 'unparalleled.'

Each of the sound systems will play American boogie woogie blues and Ska, the sounds that announced the birth of Jamaica's music industry in the late 1950s.

First deejay

Stitt, who was born with a deformed face, was an understudy to Count Machukie who many regard as the first deejay in Jamaican music.

For over four decades, he worked with producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd as a deejay and sound system selector.

Neville Wray of KLAS FM and Hoggie Thomas of Afrique Disco will also be a part of the Stitt tribute.