Pre-Valentine’s Day Red Rose for Gregory
THE FIRST annual Pre-Valentine’s Day Red Rose for Gregory stage show takes place at the Constant Spring Golf Club on Sunday, February 12. It promises to be a never-to-be-forgotten experience that will feature some of the biggest stars currently in local and international music.
With Gregory Isaacs being viewed by many as the ultimate lover’s rock star, the show is particularly timed to whet the appetite of lovers, thus preparing them for Valentine’s Day, two days later. We can recall Isaacs’ first hit record, My Only Lover, in 1972, which set the lover’s rock craze in motion.
Secret Lovers and Always, by the headline act, Atlantic Starr, will certainly be two of the songs that will be caressingly embraced by fans on that eagerly awaited Sunday evening.
Other acts include Christopher Martin, who has suddenly shot himself to international prominence as a movie star; Cat Coore, who will be doing a special tribute to Gregory on his cello; and Ikaya, whose recording of Hard Way, has created a international stir. She took away the Stone Love award for Female Artiste of the Year in 2010.
Also on stage will be Kaydeno – the latest addition to the Gregory’s African Museum family; local acts D Major and Yvad; and the Texas-based star Robert Minott. MCs will be Barry G and Junior Sinclair.
To add more spice to the event, the group PaKaGe (Patricia CarthyEdwards, Karen Smith, Gem Myers) and A’LISA will be on as special guests, while Lloyd Parks and We The People will be the backing band. Recorded music will be provided by Sir Coxsone from the United Kingdom.
According to June Isaacs (Gregory’s widow), the main organiser of the event put on by the Gregory Isaacs Foundation, much of the glamour and glitz usually associated with Gregory’s tribute events close to the time of his birth in July, have been shifted to this show in order to accommodate artistes who have other engagements in July, or whose contracts with Reggae Sumfest (from July 16-22) would prevent them from participating in or experiencing the event.
She further stated that part-proceeds from the event would go to the Patricia House Drug Rehabilitation Centre, 6 Upper Musgrave Avenue.