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Shocking Vibes director laid to rest

Tanto metro, the deejay in the duo Tanto Metro and Devonte touches Paul Tyrell his former Road Manager who was slain on February 24.Tanto metro, the deejay in the duo Tanto Metro and Devonte touches Paul Tyrell his former Road Manager who was slain on February 24.

IN THE MIDST of tears and sorrow, Paul Tyrell, Shocking Vibes Director and Road Manager for Beenie Man was laid to rest yesterday.

Tyrell was remembered by family, friends and members of the entertainment fraternity. They were joined by members of the academic and political fraternities as well as persons dressed in casual clothes and the two vendors who supplied men outside with beverages ranging from water to Red Stripe.

Of course, the men and women who spent a fortune to be decked out in funeral apparel were well represented. Leading the pack in this department were John Hype and Sky Juice.

Tyrell was shot dead on February 24 by a gunman at the intersection of Spring Vale Avenue and Constant Spring Road.

Craved success

From the beginning until the end Tyrell's friends and family painted a picture of a good man whose life was taken away from them prematurely.

Dr. Clinton Hutton, Lecturer at the University of the West Indies described the deceased as a man who craved success and bemoaned the fact that he would not live to see his children grow up. Hutton's tribute was delivered to a quiet audience on the inside. However, on the outside several young men congregated and spoke about matters of the heart as well as other aspects of life. Others who seemed to be overcome by sorrow lit a spliff or two in the hope of forgetting this remorseful moment.

Still, on the inside the tributes continued.

Peta-Gay Tyrell, a family member of the deceased, broke down on several occasions during her tribute. It took a member of the congregation, who hugged her while she read, to enable her to finish her contribution.

"He was a loving, kind and honest person who gave his last to ensure everyone was o.k. He touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with," she said in between sobs.

While Peta-Gay showed her remorse in tears, Clyde McKenzie, a member of the Shocking Vibes camp seemed more composed as he waxed poetic about the former Shocking Vibes member.

Verbal tributes

"Friendship was the essence of his life. He was the consummate team player. As my sister said he was there from when Shocking Vibes was a beeper before the age of cell phones," he said while adding that no history of contemporary Jamaican music would be complete without mentioning Paul Tyrell.

And, while not taking an active part in the ceremony, Beenie Man was obviously sad as he wept at the end of the funeral and had to be comforted by several persons.

Apart from the verbal tributes, there were contributions in song from Nadine Sutherland, Nikki Tucker, Judy Mowatt, Measha Griffiths and Dean Fraser.

Lessons were read by Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning and Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, a Member of the Opposition.