MERRITONE CELEBRATES WINSTON BLAKE AT 81
Musical jubilee this weekend for late co-owner
THE ENTIRE Merritone family is today saluting ‘the big man himself’, Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake, on what would have been his 81st birthday. It will be three glorious days of ‘Merri’ music, fun and frolic as a whole slew of DJs have been assembled for this weekend’s virtual fiesta on the collectorskornernow.com platform.
“It’s a musical jubilee starting today at 9 p.m. out of South Florida. Then it’s into Kingston, Jamaica, right until Sunday evening,” a refreshed Monte Blake, the younger brother of Winston, told The Gleaner.
Blake was still revelling in the effects of the cool St Thomas breeze from his footprints journey on Wednesday when he visited some of the places in the parish where the Merritone sound system had its auspicious start.
“Winston was a people person, and he would have been celebrating with friends today. He would have invited some people to pass through all day, and of course, there would be lots of music,” Monte shared.
For this weekend’s jubilee, he will be emceeing various events online rather than spinning at the turntable. However, his enthusiasm could not be more palpable as he reeled off the extensive list of selectors whose skills would be on display. Numbered among them are DJ Fernando and DJ Ron Bad out of South Florida; Craige ‘The Young Lion’Ross and Mikey Thompson, who will be doing a tribute to Dean Thompson; the Spin Twins Valerie Chong and Marie Frances; DJ Glen C, otherwise known as Glen‘Titus’Campbell, and Barbara Rose from Atlanta.
An important part of this year’s event, which is especially close to Blake’s heart, is that part proceeds will be donated to the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA), which is chaired by Fab 5 frontman Frankie Campbell. He made an appeal recently for those who could assist the organisation with funding. Merritone, which has a familial relationship with JAVAA, has answered the call.
“Winston was a founding member of JAVAA,” Monte explained. “Last year, after clearing the expenses of this event, Merritone donated $80,000 to four persons in the entertainment industry, a sum of $20,000 each. This year, we are trying to reach a larger audience, but we are cognisant of the fact that we won’t have as captive an audience as in 2020 because people are now going out to events.”
He added, however, that “the future looks merri” as the organisation is mobilising to enter the entertainment arena in full force “as soon as we get the green light”, and that the planning for Reunion 2022 has already started.
“The book, The Merritone Story, should be out in 2022 and the overseas events, Merritone Family Fun Day, Father’s Day Atlanta, Memories in the Park, Ft Lauderdale and local events in Jamaica like First Sundays at the Regency will continue. For Merritone’s continuity, as we are an ageing population, we are looking at events to attract a younger, but mature family,” Monte said.
But, in the midst of that, he was quick to tag on the well-known Merritone mantra.
JOYFUL NOISE
“Things of quality have no fear of time,” he said confidently as he reflected on favourite memories of his older brother, Winston. “Phew!! So many... listening to him play at the Turntable club, singing, beating drums and blowing the whistles and making a joyful noise to the Lord.”
Legendary sound system owner and club operator Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake, one of the four Blake brothers, was born in Morant Bay on November 19, 1940, and he attended Kingston College. According to his bio, their father, Val Blake, established the Mighty Merritone sound system in 1950. After his death in 1956, Winston and his brothers Trevor, Tyrone, and Monte began operating the sound system. The brothers moved to Kingston in 1962, and the popularity of Merritone grew, developing a reputation for being able to cater for all social classes.
Winston remained a central figure in the Jamaican music industry, and in 1997 he was awarded the Order of Distinction for his contributions to Jamaica’s entertainment industry. He suffered a stroke in January 2016 and died in the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston in February as a result of complications from asthma. He was 75.