DEEJAY Charlie Chaplin, who was scheduled to perform at the two-day Reggae Geel Festival in Belgium alongside old sparring partners Josey Wales and Brigadier Jerry, has been declared a no-show by promoters.
“Unfortunately, we have to announce Charlie Chaplin has cancelled his performance at Reggae Geel since he refused to take his flight to Belgium. His management tried to convince him to perform anyway but this didn’t work out. Brigadier Jerry and Josey Wales did reach Belgium and will be playing a longer set on Saturday,” read a statement on the annual show’s website.
The veteran toasters, who ruled the dancehall circuit in the 1980s on the Stur Gav and Jah Love sound systems, were to feature in a ‘three-the-hard-way’ bout, backed by Lloyd Parks and We The People Band.
Reggae Geel, a two-day event, ends today.
Copeland Forbes, who organised the artists’ deal, said they are also scheduled to perform at Reggae Sun Ska in France and Rototom Sunsplash in Spain.
It is not known if Chaplin will be available for the remaining dates. Calls by the Jamaica Observer to his cell phone were not answered.
Danielle Pater, a spokesperson for Reggae Geel, spoke to the Observer about Chaplin’s absence.
“Charlie signed all agreements with management and even did a rehearsal, but on the day of the flight he was missing. I spoke to him on the phone and he said he had issues with management,” Pater said.
She added that while organisers are not considering legal action, the fees of Josey Wales and Brigadier Jerry “will be cut”.
Pater also disclosed that singer Jah Vinci, who was booked for the show, did not turn up. All artists are paid an advance fee by promoters.
First held in 1979, Reggae Geel is the oldest reggae festival in Europe. It attracted over 55,000 fans in 2014.
— By Howard Campbell
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