Sun | May 12, 2024

Honours in order

Ernest Ranglin, Aston Barrett, Lt Stitchie, The Mighty Diamonds to receive national awards

Published:Sunday | August 8, 2021 | 12:09 AMStephanie Lyew - Sunday Gleaner Writer
Pause
Lionel Rookwood
Veteran acts The Mighty Diamonds perform at Rebel Salute 2019. Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson, Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw and Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson will all be inducted into the Order of Distinction.
Raymond Simpson
Ernest ‘Ernie’ Ranglin, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 1973, will be invested into the Order of Jamaica.Ernest ‘Ernie’ Ranglin, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 1973, will be invested into the Order of Jamaica.Ernest ‘Ernie’ Ranglin, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 1973, will be invested into the Order of Jamaica.Ernest ‘Ernie’ Ranglin, who was conferred with the Order of Distinction in 1973, will be invested into the Order of Jamaica.
AP
Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, will be invested into the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of reggae music both locally and internationally.Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, will be invested into the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of reggae music both locally and internationally.Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, will be invested into the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of reggae music both locally and internationally.Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, will be invested into the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of reggae music both locally and internationally.
File
Lt Stitchie has earned himself an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer. Lt Stitchie has earned himself an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer. Lt Stitchie has earned himself an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer. Lt Stitchie has earned himself an Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer.
LUSH ENTERTAINMENT
The Hylton family has much to celebrate. Not only did Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton (left), recently receive a Governor General Achievement Award, it was recently announced that her mother, Marjorie, will be conferred with an Order of Distinction. The Hylton family has much to celebrate. Not only did Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton (left), recently receive a Governor General Achievement Award, it was recently announced that her mother, Marjorie, will be conferred with an Order of Distinction. The Hylton family has much to celebrate. Not only did Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton (left), recently receive a Governor General Achievement Award, it was recently announced that her mother, Marjorie, will be conferred with an Order of Distinction. The Hylton family has much to celebrate. Not only did Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton (left), recently receive a Governor General Achievement Award, it was recently announced that her mother, Marjorie, will be conferred with an Order of Distinction.
1
2
3
4
5

Prominent Jamaican musicians and entertainers who have transformed the way our local reggae and dancehall genres are transported to the ears of listeners worldwide will be recognised in the 2021 National Honours and Awards. Ernest ‘Ernie’ Ranglin, Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, ‘Lt Stitchie’ and The Mighty Diamonds are among the honourees. Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson, Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw and Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson will represent the roots-reggae trio.

The National Honours and Awards list was announced last Friday morning on Jamaica’s 59th Anniversary of Independence.

With his expertise in Afro-Caribbean and Latin music and the contribution he has made to Jamaica’s entertainment landscape as a musician, Ranglin will be conferred with Order of Jamaica from the Government, which cited his “exceptional contribution in the development and internationalisation of reggae music.

A guitarist and composer, though his musical exploration far exceeded the scope of local genres, Ranglin’s place among the 144 Jamaican recipients is assured.

“Well, this is me hearing about it,” said Ranglin when The Sunday Gleaner made contact with him. “As far as I know, the National Honours and Awards is something coming up on the calendar and that I will be receiving one. I don’t know much details, but it’s an honour.”

GROUND-BREAKING TRACKS

His first professional experience was with the Val Bennett Orchestra in the 1940s as a young boy, and he matured into a prolific session ace when he transitioned to the Eric Deans Orchestra in 1950 at 16 years old. Dive deep into the island’s musical legacy, and the sounds of Ranglin’s guitar can be heard on ground-breaking tracks by Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Toots and The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff and many more. Now, at the age of 89 and retired, the talented musician dubbed by international music body Guitar World as the ‘king of ska guitar’ for his mastery and versatility is willing to teach and learn. According to his wife, Joan Ranglin, “the feeling is unexplainable”.

She continued, “Our family is very proud and happy for him, although, for us, who have been watching him closely over the years, doing his thing and still being a strong figure, it is hard to tell you how it feels now, seeing him reap the rewards.”

Ranglin is among four persons who will receive Jamaica’s fourth-highest honour on Heroes Day this year. He was previously honoured with the Order of Distinction in 1973 and received other honours such as the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, DC, in 1999 and last year, he was a recipient of the RJRGLEANER’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Entertainment. In 2008, Ranglin was inducted into the Jamaican Music Hall of Fame by the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates.

Aston Barrett, better known as ‘Family Man’, has also retired from live performances. He will be receiving the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his contribution to the development of reggae music both locally and internationally. As one of the original members and bandleader of The Wailers, the multi-instrumentalist is steeped in the music that continues to be some of the bestselling reggae in the world.

‘Family Man’ was given his moniker before he even had children for being a dedicated mentor to younger musicians and recording artiste who he adopted as his own. Aston Barrett Jr was excited to receive the news that his father was named among the honourees on a day celebrating Jamaica’s culture and Independence. In noting that the awards ceremony normally takes place on National Heroes Day later in the year, in the month of October, Barrett Jr, who took over leadership of The Wailers when his father fell ill in 2016, told The Sunday Gleaner, “On behalf of the Barrett family and The Wailers, we really feel great and privileged to know my father, Aston ‘Family Man’ Barrett, will get the honouring he deserves on Heroes Day as he is my hero and he is everyone’s hero around the world for reggae. One love, to everyone, one love, one heart, let’s get together and feel alright. Jamaica bless!”

Lt Stitchie, birth name Cleve Laing, is revered for his knowledge and handle on reggae, dancehall and gospel music. He has skilfully created a way to blend the rhythms and lyrics of the musical genres and sub-genres to share the gospel and managed to surpass expectations while breaking down barriers. Those qualities have earned the recording artiste and minister the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer. Likewise, The Mighty Diamonds, creators of reggae anthems such as Pass The Kutchie and I Need A Roof, who have demonstrated versatility and endurance over five decades.

MISS KITTY CELEBRATES MOM

Meanwhile, media personality Miss Kitty is celebrating her mother — nurse anaesthetist — Marjorie Elaine Hylton, who is to receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer for her service to the medical profession. Hylton has worked in the field of medicine as a nurse for over 40 years. She made the congratulatory announcement on social media.

She said, “Mommy, you’re a trailblazer. A hard-working, dedicated and committed member of the nursing profession.”

Miss Kitty, whose given name is Khadine Hylton, has credited the matriarch for being a pillar of strength and empowerment who motivates her to excel in all areas of her life and work. The post continued with her sharing that her mother, being the first nurse specialising in anaesthesia at the University Hospital of the West Indies, has served as a mentor to many others.

“Your strength of character is everything. Your awe-inspiring personality has served many outside of me, and I salute you on this recognition, especially as you continue to work selflessly on the frontline saving lives, especially in this pandemic. Nurse Anaesthetist Hylton, aka Lady Marj, you’re my hero,” Miss Kitty shared.

Dr Sara Grace Lawrence, an obstetrician and former Miss Jamaica World, sent her commendations via the post, stating, “I have never seen an award more well deserved! You know me love and respect your mother differently, the hospital is a better place when she is on duty.”

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com

 

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story stated that Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson will receive his Order of Distinction (OD) posthumously. It is Kieshawn George Luton Shelton who will receive his OD posthumously. We regret the error.