Reggae musician Ijahman Levi, who left his Manchester home in Jamaica earlier this month for France, where he was scheduled to perform, is now recovering from COVID-19. His manager, Cabel Stephenson, told The Gleaner that Levi is being cared for by the best doctors in that country.
“Ijahman had three shows in France, and before he left Jamaica, he did a COVD test which came back negative. He travelled to France, did the shows, including the No Logo Festival, and then he was supposed to do some studio work, but he said he wasn’t feeling well. I told them to take him to do a COVID test, and it came back positive,” Stephenson explained.
The 75-year-old reggae singer, who consistently tours Europe and is a British citizen, having migrated there with his parents decades ago, is now in a better place than he was one week ago. But Stephenson, who is happy that the virus was discovered early, admitted that, nevertheless, there were a few scary days.
“When I spoke to him a few days ago, he sounded very weak. He said he hadn’t eaten and didn’t have any appetite. We are keeping him on a special diet recommended by the doctors, but I told him to make sure to take his medication and his vitamins to build up his immune system. I also told him to get a French bread, put some jam in it, and get a pot of black coffee. He said he didn’t want it, so I called the hotel myself and made the order and told them to take it to his room. This morning, he told me that he was feeling much better, and the black coffee worked,” the manager said happily.
Stephenson, like Ijahman Levi, remains optimistic of a full recovery soon. “I told him that I want to see him back home soon, and he says he wants to get home to his family, so as soon as he gets back a negative COVID test, he will be flying home,” Stephenson, who was also the manager for Toots, said.
According to his bio, Ijahman Levi was tutored by musician and vocal teacher, Joe Higgs. His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious conversion to Rastafari when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. His records preach Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.
Ijahman Levi is not the first reggae artiste to take sick while on tour in recent weeks, and the question of health insurance is becoming topical. Stephenson is no stranger to that particular game, having been present when Gallimore Sullivan from the Gladiators fell ill while on a US tour and racked up a bill of US$35,000.
“We had a fly a doctor and nurse with him in first class when he was returning home and arranged for an ambulance to meet them at the airport and take him straight to the University hospital. All of that was covered by insurance. I always make sure that in my contracts or riders, the question of insurance is properly addressed, both for the artiste personally and for the venue. And another good thing is that many of the European embassies insist on insurance coverage as a part of the terms to secure a visa,” he noted.
Stephenson is now in discussion with the agent in France regarding insurance coverage for Ijahman. He is also appealing to artistes and their managers to educate themselves in this area, as these are “different times for touring musicians, artistes and their entourages”.
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