By Howard Campbell—
The Mighty Diamonds: (from left) Bunny Diamond, Tabby Diamond, and Judge Diamond—
DESPITE the deaths of two original members within days of each other, the show will go on for roots-reggae giants The Mighty Diamonds.
Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson, sole survivor of the original trio, told the Jamaica Observer that once a suitable lead vocalist is identified, the group will resume touring.
“Yuh not going to get a replica of Tabby jus’ like dat. Him was a one in di world singer. Yuh haffi get a singer who is on point,” emphasised Ferguson.
Tabby (real name Donald Shaw) was murdered near his home in Olympic Gardens, St Andrew, on March 29. He was 66 years old.
On April 1 Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson died in hospital at age 70. He had been seriously ill since suffering a life-changing stroke in 2015.
Ferguson said he spoke to Tabby on the morning of his death and they discussed a possible tour of Africa. He visited Bunny two weeks prior to his death.
It’s been tough for him losing two people who were like brothers.
“Wi travel all over di world fi over 50 years, singing together, living together. Losing dem mus’ affect yuh in a certain way,” reasoned Ferguson.
Shortly after Simpson’s stroke, he was replaced briefly by veteran singer Ken Bob. After Bob’s departure, Capo Beniah, a fixture of the South Florida reggae scene, joined the group.
Ferguson admits it will be a tougher assignment finding someone to fill the shoes of Tabby, who led The Diamonds on roots standards like I Need A Roof, Africa, Pass The Kouchie, and Heads of Government.
“Mi know how Tabby sing, how him slur. Whosoever come in will haffi work hard fi mek things work. It can’t be nuh foolishness,” he insisted.
Ferguson, Simpson and Shaw formed The Mighty Diamonds in Trench Town in 1969. They had a number of hit songs at Channel One studio during the roots-reggae movement of the 1970s, songs that made them one of the genre’s greats and a popular live draw throughout their career.
For their contribution to the development of Jamaican music, The Mighty Diamonds were awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government last year.
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