Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, family members, music industry players and well-wishers all turned out on Sunday to view the body of internationally renowned bass player Robbie Shakespeare at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston and sign the condolence book.
With cameras flashing from the moment they entered, the government officials made their way to the golden casket to view Shakespeare’s body, then made a stop to speak with Sly Dunbar, the remaining half of the iconic Riddim Twins, Sly and Robbie.
“Listen, I am in the presence of greatness,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared as the legendary Sly Dunbar stood to take pictures with him. “Good to finally meet you in person,” he added, as he chatted a bit with the Grammy Award-winning drummer and producer.
With some of the thousands of songs on which Shakespeare played booming in the background, it was not hard to focus on celebrating the life of this musical genius. From Beenie Man giving ‘shout-outs’ to the Riddim Twins in Foundation – A Selassie I send dem, well/’Cause music a fi play dem, yeah/Mr. Robbie him a bass dem, well/Taxi Gang come tell dem – to Maxi Priest’s Wild World and Innocent Kru’s Impossible Train, the atmosphere was festive, despite the COVID-19 protocols in place.
IN HONOUR
But there were tears, too. The older brother of Robbie Shakespeare cried openly as he looked at his sibling in the casket and signed the condolence book. Shakespeare’s widow, Marian, put on a brave face, and so too did fellow ‘Fortis’, producer Gussie Clarke, who showed up to honour Robbie wearing the tie of their shared alma mater, Kingston College. One Pop engineer Rorey Baker managed to keep it together.
“Today, I can say farewell to a father, a friend, a colleague, a business associate, a motivational speaker and a guidance counsellor. The lessons I have learnt by being around them is something that I will pass on to my children and grandchildren. I don’t want to get too emotional. Let’s just seh him do him work and him gone leave we, and we proud ah what him left we fi recognise and fi live offa and to cherish,” Baker told The Gleaner.
Devonte of the group Tanto Metro and Devonte noted that “Robbie has played a very important role in the careers of most of us. He and Sly were on our first project, right up to our fifth album. He has played an intricate role on what we do as artistes and musicians, and it is just an honour to know him as a great person, and it is a privilege to be here today.”
The thanksgiving service for the life of Robbie Shakespeare will be held today at the Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew. The service will not be open to the general public; however, it can be viewed on social media and on PBCJ.
Minister Grange will do the remembrance and Sly Dunbar will lead a musical tribute, with arrangement by Dean Fraser. There will also be performances by Chevelle Franklyn and Pam Hall.
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