Toasters, singers, fans a like turn out for legendary Reggae producers funeral
Toasters and singers such as Beenie Man, Shaggy and Freddie McGregor as well as fans like former Jamaican Prime Minister Edward Seaga attended the funeral of Legendary Reggae producer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, over the weekend in Kingston Jamaica.
Coxsone, died on May 5th of an apparent heart attack. He was 72. He was very instrumental in the development of reggae music in it's infantsy back in the 50s and 60s, shaping the careers of hundreds including the now legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers.
Some 500 mourners filed past Dodd's casket in the city's Holy Trinity Cathedral, which was adorned with album covers of some of his early hits. In his eulogy, Rev Oswald Tie said Dodd was "a great man, a man who made Jamaican music a household name. His vision gave rise to the sound that brought Jamaica to the world arena."Fans danced and sang outside the cathedral as an orchestra from the Alpha Boys' School performed some of Dodd's music.
- Born on January 26, 1932, Clement Seymour Dodd started out in the music business in 1950s, operating one of the biggest sound systems of it's time 'Coxone Sound System','' while at the same time releasing records on his own label. It was here that he found his forte as a producer and galvaged in the early beginnings of what is now known as SKA.
In 1963, Dodd opened his now famed Studio One, one of Jamaicas first black-owned music studio. Later that year, he was introduced to a young singer by the name of Bob Marley. Bob and his band the Wailers auditioned for Dodd who was mpressed with their talent and signed them to a five-year contract, launching a musical career that would eventually span three decades and give Bob Marley super stardom status.It was at Dodd's encouragement, that Bob emerged as the frontman of the group.
Besides Marley, Dodd is credited with launching the careers of Lee 'Scratch' Perry, the late Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor to name a few. On a footnote, four days before he died he was given the name of the street his label resided and was renamed 'Studio One Boulavard'
- - Source: netscape.com/BBCnews.com
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Natalie Cole joins Whitney and Dionne on upcoming 'Soul Divas' tour
The recenly troubled, in the public eye singer Whitney Houston and her cousin Doinne Warwick who reccently announced they will be going in the road with a tour of their own will be joined by the legendary Nat King Cole's daughter Natalie Cole as the three prepare for their what is now known as their 'Soul Divas' tour.
Said Cole "It starts in Germany in July. We're going to have a great, great time. It's going to be fun." Miss Cole states the one reason she decided to do the tour is because of her close relationship with Houston. "I said `yes' because that's my buddy, "I've always thought of Whitney as my little sister. I've known her since she was 19, and ... I feel really good that when they asked who she would want to be on the show with her, she said me."
The concert will kick off in Germany with the dates and venues including: the Brandenburger Tor July 2 in Berlin, at the AOL Arena July 7 in Hamburg, the Olympiastadion July 9 in Munich and at the Arena AufSchalke July 11 in Gelsenkirchen with more dates set to follow. Check with Dionne Warwick's official website www.dionnewarwick.info for further details
- - Source: hhso.com
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Lenny's latest offers all to come to his 'Baptism'
it's been a couple of yesrs since we last heard Lenny Kravitz with any new material, not since 2001's self titled set but he is back for the 2004 with a 13 song set called 'Baptism'
Kravitz has resharpened his instrument of choice - the guitar to lay down the signature sound we've alll come to love. The Jimmy Hendricks of the modern era has fired up on the usual cylinders to create and provoke the musical head of the pop rock minded.Tracks like 'Where Are We Runnin'?', 'SistaMamaLover', 'I Don't Want to be a Star' and 'Flash' are attention getters but as is the case with all of Lenny's previous albums he oftens crosses over to the R&B relm of things and that what the track 'Storm' offers. There's really no new direction or approach layered here, just the Lenny Kravitz of past doing what Lenny does in making his music but if you're a fan then there's lots to like. Look for it in stores next week.
- Source: mytelus.com
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Legendary singer Chaka Khan to be honored next month
The little lady with the big voice, Chaka Khan will be honored next month by the l'm every Woman foundation - a non profit organization to better the way of life and health for minority women.
Solombra Ingram, founder of the 'I'm Every Woman' Conference (the title taken from the song made famous by Chaka) and the First Lady of Maranatha Community Church in Los Angeles, along with actress Terry Vaughn (All of Us, The Steve Harvey Show) will salute the veteran R&B diva as Woman of the Year during a special awards dinner, citing her Khan's career achievements and charity efforts on behalf of women and children at risk.
Other speakers scheduled to appear will be Dr. Billy Ingram, author of 'The Legacy', Dr Betty Price, First Lady of Crenshow Christian Center, Liza Collings, Editor-in-Chief L A Focus. The event takes place June 24 through June 27th in Santa Barbara, CA. For more information, visit the website www.imeverywoman.org- Source:eurweb.com/imeverywoman.org