Byron Lee - File photos

The soca community is mourning the loss of 'The Dragon', Byron Lee, who died yesterday after losing his battle with cancer.

Lee had been fighting transitional cell cancer and was being treated in Florida. However, he was later diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago and returned to Jamaica by air ambulance on Saturday, October 25, where he was being treated on the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies. He died yesterday at the age of 73 surrounded by his family and close friends.

As Jamaica mourns his loss, so too does the soca community in the Caribbean. THE STAR spoke with some of the leading soca figures who have all been influenced by Lee.

Alison Hinds

Barbadian soca queen Alison Hinds said she heard that Lee had died from Monday but was unaware of his actual death when THE STAR spoke with her yesterday. Hinds worked with Lee in the early years of Jamaica Carnival in the 1990s when she was still a member of Square One. Since embarking on her solo career, Hinds continued to visit Jamaica and performed at Jamaica Carnival as recently as last year.

Hinds sent her condolences saying: "This is going to be very sad and very hard. It's going to be a great loss because of his vibrancy, because of his great love for music, not just reggae, as long as it's good music he's interested."

Hinds revealed that Lee was one of her biggest fans.

"When I performed he would make sure to come look for me backstage before or after my appearance," she said. "He always thanked me for doing what I do and if he couldn't come he would ask one of his daughters to come for me so that I could see him. He was one of my biggest fans and just a good man and he will be greatly missed."

She continued: "He was the person who brought carnival to Jamaica. It's going to be different but his spirit is gonna be there. There were times when he was particularly low, that he would just want to be near the music and feel the vibes. I wish him well on his journey."

When THE STAR spoke with David Rudder, he was still in shock although he knew Lee was ill. He thought of 'The Dragon' as a fighter and said he would be dearly missed.

David Rudder

Rudder has been a pioneer in soca music and worked alongside Lee before the advent of Jamaica Carnival.

"Byron was one of the fathers of Caribbean music," Rudder reflected.

"In terms of artistes, he brought all the artistes from different islands together. He was someone I could talk to and get advice from. The first time he brought carnival to Jamaica, I was there. We had a strong connection, not just a musical vibe."

Winston Montano, father of Machel Montano, one of the leading contemporary male soca artistes, also expressed his grief at the passing of Lee.

Montano accompanied his son to Jamaica to work with Lee in the early years of Jamaica Carnival.He said: "We started Jamaica Carnival with Byron and saw it develop. He's a true Caribbean stalwart who was determined to carry the music throughout the Caribbean and was always very professional. I worked with Byron for a long time, not only in Jamaica, but New York, Canada and all over the world."

Destra Garcia

Soca princess Destra Garcia has known Lee for the past 10 years and said his death is a great loss to the music fraternity.

"His music has been a great influence, especially on the ragga soca style and he's a legend and I know he will live on for years and years," she said. "For the young persons who did not know him through experience like me, they will know him through his music."