DR. RICHARD KIRKWOOD OF THE MEDICAL SINGING GROUP, CASUAL-T, DIES AT 76!

By Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer

Dr Richard Kirkwood, a member of Casual-T — the ‘80s singing group comprising medical doctors — has died. Dr Charlie Roberts confirmed to The Gleaner that Kirkwood passed away last Wednesday, March 2, in hospital in New York. He was 76.

“Kirk was recently retired and was diagnosed with colon cancer in August 2021,” said Roberts, a pulmonologist who specialises in sports medicine and who led the medical team for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz for several years.

He shared that Kirkwood, who migrated to the United States in the ‘80s, was the father of three; his wife had predeceased him.

“As much as we knew it was happening, it just happened so fast. He kept it close to his chest for a while, and he was stable, so he didn’t want to burden us with it. He passed Ash Wednesday just before midnight, ” a sad-sounding Roberts said. “Up to now, I don’t think I have wrapped my head around it. It just don’t seem real at all. It reminds me of when Jacob Miller died. I can’t picture Jacob Miller dead … I couldn’t look at him at all. Same thing with Kirk. When I spoke to him during the illness, his voice was vibrant and strong, and we reminisced about the good times.”

Kirkwood, who had performed with bands like Bare Essentials and the Presidents, met Leonard Miller, Audley Betton, and Roberts while they were all medical students at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies. They formed Casual-T in 1979, and according to Roberts, the group never ended.

“Even when Kirk migrated to New York, he would come down and record albums with us. We performed at Sunsplash in 1980 at Ranny Williams Centre. The great thing about it is that we were all practising medicine, so we could understand each other’s limitations. We would rehearse on a Saturday night, but if there was a function, we would rehearse during the week. By that time we were no longer junior doctors, so we had a little more control of our time. We were all serious lovers of music, so any sacrifice to get involved was no sacrifice at all. It was always a pleasure,” he elaborated.

Casual-T had a big hit with the song Let’s Hold On. Their album, Prescription For Love, was produced by Rita Marley. Another album, Travelling Companion, was recorded by Kirkwood and Miller, both of whom shared a friendship lasting more than 50 years.

Roberts noted that the last time that he saw his friend was nearly 10 years ago, however, he stressed that the time span was in no way a reflection of the closeness of the group, as they spoke regularly.

“Kirk is an unforgettable character. This is a guy who you never have to ask twice, always ready to deliver. On my visits to New York, he would come and get me at the airport. He is somebody who I will forever miss. I managed to speak to him when he was being admitted. He spoke to me in the emergency room, and that was it. The sound of his voice lingers,” Roberts shared.

Noting that Kirkwood was a really great vocalist, Roberts reminisced on the formation of Casual-T. “It was a casual thing. That’s where the ‘T’ came from, and then we are all doctors. It was really great while it lasted. The balance inside the group was just amazing. There was always a pair of us who had similarities, even the birthdays. Kirk and I were two days apart. I am 24th November and Kirk the 26th … Betton’s birthday is August 1 and Miller’s August 2. Kirk had two sons and a daughter just like me … and I could go on for a whole day with things like this. All good things come to an end at some stage, and after that it’s just memories that take us through,” Roberts said philosophically.