By Richard Johnson— Junior Tucker— IN the 1970s, Jamaicans were looking for their Michael Jackson — a young performer with incredible talent, and a shy, yet inviting personality like the American mega star. Junior Tucker came closest to that. Junior Tucker @ age 7 Ironically, Tucker’s breakout hit was Happy, a track recorded by Jackson in 1973. The song, co-written by Michel Legrand and Smokey Robinson, was first recorded by Bobby Darin in November of 1972. Tucker was only seven years old … Read entire article »

By Kevin Jackson— British band Hot Chocolate with Jamaican lead singer Errol Brown at right. On April 14, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) issued a platinum certification commemorating sales and streaming for more than 600,000 units for You Sexy Thing by British group Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate, which featured Jamaican-born lead singer Errol Brown and Trinidadian Anthony “Tony” Wilson, scored several hits in the United Kingdom. You Sexy Thing was a monster hit locally. Broadcaster Norman Marsh, who has more than 40 years … Read entire article »

By Kevin Jackson— Tara Johnson LIQUIDATOR, the organ-driven reggae instrumental by Harry J All Stars, was certified silver in the United Kingdom last Friday for streaming and digital sales exceeding 200,000. The certification was issued by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). Liquidator was released in 1969 and reached number nine on the Official United Kingdom Chart. It was re-released digitally in August 2005 via Trojan Records. Tara Johnson is the daughter of Harry “Harry J” Johnson, who produced Liquidator. She is also … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson — Dawkins (foreground) poses on set with the cast of Hide Your Husband. LAST Saturday the comedy Hide Your Husband opened on stage at the Little Little Theatre in St Andrew. Written and produced by seasoned theatre practitioner Basil Dawkins, this work represents the first production to hit the boards in over two years due to the novel cornavirus pandemic. Directed by TK Dawkins (daughter of the playwright), Hide Your Husband represents the sixth production from her father’s pen … Read entire article »

Veteran singer Sanchez’s son, Kevin Anthony Jackson The police have confirmed that one of three men shot dead in Bedward Gardens, St Andrew in the early hours of Saturday morning is the son of popular entertainer Sanchez, whose given name is Kevin Anthony Jackson. Sanchez’s son has been identified as Jackson and ‘Kidz Friday’. Sanchez The other deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Rasheed Edwards otherwise called ‘Buppy’, a mason, and 18-year-old Keno Wray, otherwise called ‘Brains’ both of … Read entire article »