George Nooks reflects, give thanks

On his birthday, Tuesday, October 31, singer George Nooks took time out of his routine - and the city - to give thanks for getting to another chronological milestone. It was a long weekend away leading up to the special day and Nooks appreciated them all.

"You're going up in age and things going lovely," said Nooks, whose standout songs include the Forty Leg version of Zion Gates with the late Joseph 'Culture' Hill in 1977 and the early 2000s God is Standing By. He has enjoyed dual musical careers, deejaying as Prince Mohammed and singing as George Nooks.

This time around was different from previous birthdays, which Nooks said he would treat like any other day, going about his routine, with, maybe, a glass of champagne to toast the occasion. Now, he said, "when you are going up in age, you enjoy it."

"You give God thanks for another day. So many people die out just suddenly. It doesn't have to be violent. you can just drive out and don't come back. Babies just born and die," Nooks said.

He chuckled as he said that getting older is why some persons let loose on occasions like on their 50th birthday. "I am not a fussy man. You have people, from them young, their family and friends around them, they celebrate. I have been giving thanks for being on earth and all the blessings bestowed upon me. God is good all the time," Nooks said.

There were many greetings on social media and in person, Nooks attributing the good wishes to how his songs have reached people. "When people hear certain songs, it puts them in a good mood," said Nooks, who has also covered Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Fittingly, three of his more recent releases are gospel oriented. I Must Tell Jesus and Don't Worry were released at almost the same time, and there is also You Are God. A gospel album is in the works for early next year, as well as another full-length project.

"I am so happy to have this talent," Nooks said.