Lloyd Parkes celebrates 25 years in music

Lloyd Parkes

LLOYD PARKES and the We The People band will be celebrating their 25th anniversary at the Countryside Club, Kingston, on Saturday, June 24at 9:00 p.m. The grand reunion celebration is expected to attract many of the musicians who have worked with the band through the years.

Parkes said the main reason he has stuck with the band all these years is because, "I am a true musician and I love it."

And what has kept the band going? "To sustain a band like this for 25 years is not about luck. It is about professionalism, dedication and hard work and you've to be a business person to lead it."

Parkes and his band staged a reception at the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, recently to announce plans for the 25th anniversary celebration show.

They will be seeking to get as many of the musicians who have played with the band over the years to join the current aggregation on stage for the grand reunion, produced by MKB Productions. Executive producer will be Parks Entertainment.

The line-up confirmed so far includes Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe, Derrick Harriott, George Nooks, the Techniques, Lord Creator, Judy Mowatt, the Mighty Diamonds, Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Tony Rebel, John Hold and Ernie Smith.

The event is intended to reunite musicians of the calibre of American guitarist Andy Bassford, Keith Powell, Keith Sterling, Everol Wray, Junior 'Chico' Chin, Arnold 'Braco' Breakenridge, Mallory Williams, Handel Tucker, Owen 'Fox' Stewart, Stephen 'Lenky' Marsden, Tamika Parks, Fitzroy Jarrett, 'Nambo' Robinson, Lloyd Kerr, Vin Gordon, Leroy 'Horse Mouth' Wallace and Devon Richardson.

Founding members include Ruddy Thomas, Winston 'Boo Pee' Bowen, Franklyn 'Bubbler' Waul, Lloyd Kerr, Junior 'Chico' Chin and Devon Richardson.

Over the years, the band has received a number of honours, including the JAMIs and Martin's. Parks, himself, has been awarded the national honour of the Order of Distinction (Officer) for service to the music industry by the Government.

Parkes' daughter Tamika played keyboards once. His son, Craig, is the current drummer. Other members of the current band are: Tony Greene, saxophone, Howard Brown, guitar, Fitzroy Jarrett, keyboards, Everald Gayle, trombone and 'Chico' Chin, trumpet.

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