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September 04, 2008
Body of veteran singer returns to Jamaica for burial
 The body of veteran Jamaican vocalist, Roy Shirley, left London on Monday September 1, for Jamaica for burial. Shirley, whose real name was Ainsworth Roy Rushton Shirley, died in July at his home in London.
One of Shirley's daughters, Queen Irie, told JIS News, that her father was a strong and spiritual man, who was principled and not afraid to stand up for what he believed in. "He was my guardian angel and I loved him. He told me to be brave, to keep trying, and to hold my head up," she said, adding that he was always full of joy and fun.
Long time friend and fellow London-based singer, Dennis Alcapone, described Shirley as a nice man, a fun person to be around, and an extraordinary performer. Alcapone said he met Shirley in the 1960s, while both worked for legendary producer, Bunny Lee, in Kingston. "He was a very nice person, full of jokes, [and] very inventive. He was a great performer who gave it his all; when he was on stage, he would be on his knees, crying. He was famous for these performances, and his stage outfits. He was a great performer," he reflected.
Roy Shirley rose to prominence and fame in the late 1960s, and he became renowned for his ecstatic stage performances, that led people to compare him with American soul singer, James Brown.
He performed in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and appeared on Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica in 1982, with backing provided by the Rico Rodriguez Band.
Shirley was raised by his mother and stepfather in Trench Town, Kingston, and began singing in talent contests in the late 1950s. Encouraged by fellow artiste, Jimmy Cliff, who introduced him on stage during one of his first performances, Shirley eventually turned professional during his teens. He subsequently moved to England in 1973, but would return to Jamaica to perform, as well as tour North America. His last performance was at a World Music Festival in the USA in June.
The repatriation of Shirley's body to Jamaica was initiated by the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, with the support of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes, with coordination in London by the Jamaican High Commission.
Posted by yardFlex at September 4, 2008 10:41 AM
Comments
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Posted by: Wade Cameron
on September 4, 2008 12:02 PM
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R.I.P to whan a Jamaica all time great singa
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Posted by: shelly
on September 4, 2008 01:11 PM
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Thanks yardflex for reporting on this news. i did not hear this anywhere else. I own quite a bit of his music, playing them right now at my desk.
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Posted by: square1
on September 4, 2008 04:40 PM
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thank u as well yardflex for letting me know this.
roy is a person i look up to all z time. he always treat people with love and respect.
i saw him couple months ago and he was looking healthy rip mr shirly me singer fi life
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Posted by: DJ NANNY B. UK1
on September 5, 2008 09:59 AM
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As MR Roy Shirley's body arrived in Jamaican on wen/3/9/08 may he rest in peace i would like to big up all who turned out in North London on sat 30/8/08 to show there respect with an wonderful concert with all the reggae legends on stage include one of my favorite Mr Derrick Morgan who is here with us in London at this time. While the body was on the plane in the air i was on radio air talking to BUNNY STRICKER DENNIS ALCAPONE and all the great ones with all there memories of one of reggae best ska father. We would like Shelly and all who just and about to comments on his life and music to join us by log on line or tune to the fm dial in London into our next special send off program on DJ Nanny B. Live Reggae Train Show to be announce nearer the date to the funeral.On this date i will have BUNNY LEE, DERRICK MORGAN,DENNIS ALCAPONE, OWEN GRAY AND DOWN BEAT SOUND from New York and the daughter of Mr Shirley's Queen Irie on air live in the studio.Big up to the sport minister who was in London last week i hope that after 2 hours of waiting to clear the body from the Airport that all else will go as plan.My heart of love goes out to his family and friend and also to Johnny More who's funeral will be this sat/6/9/08 R.I.P for more info of my radio show and the salute to the two Reggae greats show dates email/ djnannybuk1@live.co.uk or log on every wends day midnight to 6am London time www.voiceofafricaradio.com that's to link Jamaica time 6pm to 12midnight BIG UP YARDFLEX
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Posted by: Diego
on September 5, 2008 07:54 PM
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Greetings YardFlex, Another one of our Greats is gone, The High Priest of Reggae mr Roy Sherley, He will be sadly miss by many, A true Legend, Roy was a Dynamic Entertainer, I will always remember is Big tune Hold them, when He sang Hold them Right and Left now, now now now now now, oh your best friend is back in town again, to get you on your dancing feet, one of the first big rockseady tunes, Another big tune was Music field, Roy you done your work and the Father Call you Home, you are gone but not forgotten, R I P, Blessed love, Diego,
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Posted by: Queenirie
on September 6, 2008 08:17 AM
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To all those who came out to celebrate my dads life thank you to the artists such as the great denis alcapone, Ambilique, Derrick morgan, sunger man, alton elis's son and all the others thank you for your time , love and much loved vibes on the nite i would also like to send out my thanks along from the whole family being myself Queenirie, Far-I, Jermaun, Shane, Miss joe and my brother Ainsworth we salute you dad for our life for the love you gave and for giving the best part of you one love daddy we love you.xxxx p.s. dj nanny i would like to send out a very special thank you to you for all your support. blessed for life is forever.
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Posted by: ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID
on September 6, 2008 01:59 PM
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Well said Diego!! Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Roy Shirley.RIP. Copious thanks for the information YARDFLEX.
My heart goes out to Roy's family and friends. One of the foundation people - a very great loss to reggae music. The man was a Unique and he was Unique. His singing style was only matched by stage act. If it was act!!! The music that Roy made will last forever.
RIP Roy Shirley - You did great works.
Respect
Ray Hurford
Small Axe - UK
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Posted by: E Smith
on September 8, 2008 03:41 PM
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Greeting to all at Yard flex. Thanks for the information on the High Priest. A true pioneer of reggae music. I remember dancing to hold dem when I was at school.I had the privilege of seeing him perform he was a proper showman. They don't make them like that anymore. Rest in peace Roy
your music will live on forever.
one love ESmith
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