American music enthusiasts urge young entertainers to ‘be themselves’
ST JAMES, Jamaica — Two veteran American music enthusiasts are urging young entertainers to work on their uniqueness in order to enjoy longevity such as the likes of reggae legend Bob Marley and rock and roll ‘king’ Elvis Presley.
For the fourth year running, Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers is the top-selling reggae album in the US. This was revealed recently when Billboard magazine announced its top-selling titles for the year in its annual year-end charts.
“You can recognise Bob Marley’s music instantly. It is reggae but is a little bit different. He had his signature. Artistes today, if you want to have success you have to be who you are. Find your spot, your individuality and go with that, that’s my recommendation,” Jimmy Jay, WMEX radio personality told Observer Online.
Tom Garrett, a member of The Classics IV band, admitted he is not a reggae aficionado but concurred with Jimmy Jay.
“I don’t think the stars of today will have the same recognition 20 years or 25 years from now as people like Elvis Presley or Bob Marley. I don’t think they will have that longevity,” he said.
The Classics IV band was popular in the late 1960s for hits such as Spooky, Stormy and Traces, among others.
Garrett, along with Jimmy Jay, who has hosted his RewindShow for years, along with members of their families and other friends were on vacation in Jamaica recently.
They were speaking with Observer Online at the Dream Castle Villa in Ironshore, St James, operated by Gwendolyn Nicks, a niece of Marshall Thompson of the Chi-Lites.
Jimmy Jay, who is a longtime friend of Thompson, disclosed that he has a longtime attachment to Jamaica.
“I have a passion for the people here in Jamaica. I love reggae music. I was a great friend of the late Walter Crooks of Disco Inferno,” Jimmy Jay said, adding that under the moniker, Jay Michaels, he hosted Reggae Sunsplash in the past with legendary Jamaican disc jock Barry G.
