Stars R Us returns to resurgent vintage scene
TOMORROW’S STARS R Us, at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew, starts about the same time the grins of the winners and groans of the losers will cap off ‘Champs’ at the National Stadium. Those on stage for the latest instalment of the vintage music concert series will be significantly older than those on show at the eight-lane oval, but Stars R Us organiser Marvin ‘Horseman’ Wallace is confident that the events will share spectators.
It is not the first time that the oldies concert and high school track-and-field event have been held on the same day, and Horseman says a few persons who have bought tickets from him for tomorrow’s concert will be coming from Champs.
It has been two years since a Stars R Us concert was last held – that edition was staged at Mas Camp, National Stadium car park. Horseman says the series has returned at a time when appreciation for vintage music events is again on the upswing.
“Most of the vintage events are working, both recorded music and live performance. I
... the vintage events are working, both recorded music and live performance.
went to one at Jungle Fyah (in Portmore, St Catherine), and it was maximum capacity,” he said, noting that this was even though the event did not receive much advertising. The performers included Leroy Gibbons and Errol Dunkley. The latter’s birthday celebratory event earlier this year at The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre also pulled a good audience.
Tomorrow’s line-up is Josey Wales, Yellowman, Admiral Bailey, Ken Boothe, Johnny Clarke, The Silvertones, The Clarendonians and The Jays.
“I decided I am going to do a mixture of the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s,” Horseman said.
The last three performers on the list are groups and the event organiser said, “I decided I was not going for the regular groups. Most of these guys are some real unsung heroes.”
Lloyd Parkes and We The People band will play, Bob Clarke is the MC, Mutabaruka will play recorded music and, after the gates open at 7 p.m., show time is slated for 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
It will not be the only staging of Stars R Us this year, as Horseman is committed to doing another show in August.
One of the places Horseman wants to take the vintage music series is St Elizabeth, noting that thousands of people go to Little Ochie throughout the day for its seafood festival.