The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: Sunsplash memories at Houston Reggae Fest launch

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Sugar Minott - file

Guest speaker Ronnie Burke did not name the Houston Reggae Fest, now in its fifth year, as one of Reggae Sunsplash's 'children' at the Jonkanoo Lounge, Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, last Thursday evening.

He did not need to as the lineage was clear, with him naming Sumfest, East Fest, Western Consciousness and Sting among the offspring of the original reggae festival, June 20th marking the 30th anniversary of its first staging.

The Houston Reggae Fest, staged by the World Beat Music Group, marks its fifth anniversary over the US Memorial Weekend, May 24 and 25th. On the line-up for the World Beat Music Group event are Sugar Minott, Third World, Elephant Man, Freddie McGregor, Big Mountain, Supa Neil, Robert Minott, Marlon 'Ultimate' Greenwood, Noddy Virtue, Jodian Pantry and Skully Bongo. This year the festival will recognise the life and work of Peter Tosh. Bob Marley was a previous honoree.

Noddy Virtue and Jody-Ann Pantry delivered a pair of duets, Bed of Roses and You've Lost That Loving Feeling to close the launch of Houston Reggae Fest 2008, hosted by Teddy Laidley.

Burke congratulated Houston Reggae Fest's organiser, Robert Minott doing double duties as singer and head of the World Beat Music Group, saying that it is not an easy undertaking.

And the memories of Reggae Sunsplash Burke shared showed that he knows the difficulties.

He noted the numerous discouragements that they faced in staging Sunsplash and extended thanks to the family and friends who supported him.

Initially the stage was borrowed from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), the lights were borrowed from the theatre and there was one sponsor, Red Stripe.

Early sponsorship

That sponsorship did not come in cash, though, but in kind and the four security guards hired to keep watch over the beer literally drank much of the profit away.

Then, on its first anniversary, things changed dramatically.

"In 1979 everything changed for one reason," Burke said. That reason was Bob Marley.

He said that every hotel, villa and car available was rented and "For the first time the doubters understood the power of reggae music."

Burke said that Reggae Sunsplash has had many children, among them Sumfest, East Fest, Western Consciousness and Sting, with several other countries also having their own festivals.

"This gladdens my heart, because it is a spread of our culture and our music," Burke said.

However, he said, "It is with sadness that I talk about Reggae Sunsplash, because it is no longer around."

And there is another cause for sadness, as Burke said, "The world is shutting us out. More and more of our artistes are being banned. We simply have not gotten the message that we have to very careful about what we express when we have a microphone and go on the stage. A music festival is a very delicately poised event."

And anything negative can disrupt that balance.

Burke said that it is very sad that a main sponsor of live events in Jamaica is pulling out. "I hope that Sumfest, Sting and other festivals take note, because we need to correct our path," Burke said.