Lloyd Parkes
By Andrew Clunis, Freelance Writer
WHEN THE celebrated Heineken Startime series continues next month it will be without a mainstay and familiar element.
The band, Lloyd Parkes and We The People, which has provided musical support for the show for the past 12 years has been fired by MKB Promotions, producers of the event. Parkes, a band leader for 25 years told The Gleaner that he received a letter from MKB Promotions, the company headed by Michael Barnett and Keith Brown, asking him to release all dates which had been secured with the band.
Asked to comment on the matter, Michael Barnett said the letter he sent Parkes was self-explanatory and he didn't think it was a public matter. Asked whether he thought the matter would interest patrons who have been supporting the event over the years he replied, "I still don't think it is a public matter and I have no comment," he said.
Relations between both parties broke down at a recent Heineken Startime show in May Pen, Clarendon. Reports are that inadequate arrangements were made for the band and members complained. Parkes, in response to band members' queries, sought to have the issues addressed and in the process incurred the wrath of MKB. Lloyd Parkes said he feels hurt.
"It's not because I won't be playing on the show, because the demand is out there. It's because of the input that I have made and the disrespect that has been meted out to me. I have made sacrifices for Heineken Startime," he said.
Having just successfully staged his 25th anniversary celebrations on the weekend, Parkes said he would be organising to stage his own events every two months.
"My 25th anniversary show was a big example of what I can do. I have the support of the artistes and people have been encouraging me into that direction. I know that the mass of the people like what Lloyd Parkes has to offer and I will not deny them," he said.
Main sponsors of Startime are Desnoes and Geddes through their beer brand Heineken.
When The Gleaner contacted the brand manager for a comment we were told that public relations manager Grace Silvera was off the island and would not be back until Monday.
