Byron Lee 27 June 1935 - 4 November 2008On November 04, 2007 while many Jamaican's and Caribbean nationals alike celebrated the victory of Borack Obama, a great loss was in the making. Byron Lee of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, another of Jamaica's greatest music legends, passed on.
Byron Lee is synonymous with Soca here in Jamaica and no doubt in other Caribbean countries. His musical career spanned some fifty years and he was also one of the foremost persons credited with the inception of the Jamaica Carnival. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires was the headline band for almost all of the Carnival and Soca events, but his music extends even to other functions and events throughout the year. He was recently conferred with the Order of Jamaica during a special ceremony at the hospital last week by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and the Prime Minister, Bruce Golding.
Byron Lee has been fighting a battle with bladder cancer since 2006, but finally lost against this killer on November 4, 2008 at the age of 73. Byron Lee, also called the Dragon, a true icon of the Jamaica Music industry and Soca will be dearly missed.
Here is a little flashback to one of his most famous Songs, Tiney Winey.
8 commented:
RIP Byron!! Attended some great parties and functions that you played at!!Condolences to family and friends!!Memories by the score!!ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
i was honoured to meet him years ago as a youngling.
RIP sir Byron
He's gone?! A memorable J'can personality. Another landmark on our cultural landscape gone. At least he got his national honours. Lord rest him.
Goodbye Byron. Even though I wasn't much of a soca fan, I did respect your contribution to music.
Right after getting the OD. He almost missed it.
He is gone...what a lost...I did not know.
Rest in Peace..Went to many of his fetes in The US
DAMN I'm mad late with this one.....
RIP Imma go listen to his musice rite now
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