‘Father of the Year’ Niney Holness has more in store

One would think that at the grand age of 78, Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, the charismatic producer who was a central figure in the creation of several reggae classics during the eras of the ‘70s and ‘80s and who gave himself the moniker, ‘The Observer’, would have seen and done it all. But it isn’t so.

Looking at least a whole decade younger than the age on his birth certificate, a fit and sprightly Niney celebrated his birthday on Tuesday with a small group of friends in the old pirates’ haunt, Port Royal. He told them that there was much more in store.

“I am now finishing up an album, and I am working with some of the best musicians and vocalists in the business. I have some other things planning to come on stream, including a book about my journey in the music business. You will see them soon,” promised Niney, who is also working with a number of new artistes.

Unmatched love

He seemed overwhelmed by the tributes that flowed freely from friends in attendance, whether they stood and took centre stage for a few minutes or shouted out one-liners. Among them were Paul Burke, Bridget Anderson, Clyde McKenzie, Glen White, Sharon King, one of his artistes named Mystery, and Tinga Stewart, his wife and daughter. He was officially handed the title ‘Father of the Year’ by Burke, and this was endorsed with hearty rounds of applause and also by the speakers who followed.

They all spoke about Niney’s unmatched love and care for his autistic son, Winston, who is always by his side.

“If there were more fathers like Niney, we would have a much better society,” Burke said seriously.

Anderson spoke candidly of Niney’s penchant to be a bit “miserable at times” but stressed he is special. “Wherever you see Niney, you will see Winston, whether in Jamaica or any part of the world. And Niney is so caring and tender with Winston. It is almost unbelievable. Winston is always Niney’s priority, and you just have to respect him for that,” she told The Gleaner.

McKenzie hailed Niney as “a genius” and asked with a laugh if “Oonu know seh Niney love attention?” The answer seemed to be in the affirmative.

Actress and producer, Sharon King, proved to be the life of the party, and she reprised Marilyn Monroe’s infamous Happy Birthday Mr President, but with lots of Jamaican swagger, and Niney loved it.

TEARS OF JOY

And, although it was Niney’s night to shine, and he tried, he was brilliantly upstaged by a beaming Winston, who proudly stood, and to the amazement of many, paid tribute to his father in song. He sang Happy Birthday and brought tears to the tough-talking producer’s eyes. Niney walked over and embraced him, after which he was seen lovingly wiping off Winston’s hands for them both to cut the vegetarian fruit cake.

The Montego Bay-born Holness got his nickname ‘Niney’, after losing a thumb in a workshop accident. A contemporary of Bob Marley, the two had a well-documented fight in the early days over a song, which caused Niney to end up in the hospital. He is now working on releasing a Marley cover.

During his storied career, Niney has worked as an engineer at KG Records, where he began producing with producer Bunny Lee and also for Joe Gibbs as a chief sound engineer, replacing his friend Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. He also released singles for himself in his role as an artiste, including the successful and the hard-hitting Blood and Fire.

From the early 1970s, Niney became one of Jamaica’s most sought-after producers and has done projects with Dennis Brown, whose career he played a major role in launching, Delroy Wilson, The Heptones, Johnny Clarke, Slim Smith, Jacob Miller, Junior Delgado, Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe, Junior Byles, Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, I-Roy, and Dillingerall. He also continued to record himself on collaborations with Dennis Alcapone, Max Romeo, and Lee Perry.

In March 2013, he opened his own Observer Soundbox studio on Lyndhurst Road in Kingston.

In 2015, he recorded the single, Children, with Jimmy Cliff, Sly and Robbie, and Errol ‘Flabba’ Holt to raise funds for Cliff’s foundation and a school for autistic children.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com