Music fraternity mourns the deaths of Lloyd Evans, Rupert Bent III
Published:Friday | January 10, 2025 | 12:08 AM
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange had the task of sending out nearly back-to-back messages of condolences to the families of two stalwarts in the music industry, following the recent deaths of Lloyd Evans and Rupert Bent III.
In a press release, Minister Grange described Evans as a “serious contributor to Jamaican music” and Bent as “a man of immense talent and versatility”.
Evans who was the head of the music production house, Blue Mountain Music, with headquarters at Grove Road in St Andrew, died in hospital on Christmas Day.
“Lloyd Evans was indeed a legendary figure in the dancehall and reggae music industry. A renowned producer, he played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Jamaican music, helping to establish artistes such as Joseph Hill and Culture, Barrington Levy, Cocoa Tea, Tenor Saw, Frankie Paul and Super Cat,” Grange said.
He was also famous for the dances that he hosted at Grove Road.
“Despite his accomplishments, Evans remained a humble man and a friend to many. My condolences to his son, David, his relatives, friends, and associates.”
Artiste manager and decorator, Bridgett Anderson, remembers Evans whom she met ages ago as “a kind brethren with a wonderful personality”.
“What I always admired about him was how he stayed far away from the animosity and the negativity that can be prevalent in the business. He was a real decent human being who accomplished a lot and he will be missed,” Anderson told The Gleaner.
On Instagram, close friend Doris Gross paid her tribute to Evans.
“A close friend and well-known music producer ( Blue Mountain Records) since the ‘70s, has made his transition this Christmas Day. Lately his place Blue Bamboo at Grove Road became a popular place for good food. You have had so many plans for the years to come, all set in place to provide you with a peaceful retirement, Lloyd. But your faith was very strong, you called him “your God”, and only he knows why he took you so early. I will miss you a lot! Doris Gross.”
GIFTED SON
Michelle Bent, Rupert’s widow, told The Gleaner that “after a relatively short battle with lung disease, Rupert passed away on January 4 at the National Chest Hospital”.
Bent who was 57 years-old was a guitarist, song writer, music producer and engineer, who had played with the Third World Band and had been musical director for Sean Paul’s band. In addition, he toured with Julian Marley, Dennis Brown, Sly and Robbie and Sean Paul. Latterly, he became a sailing instructor and gained admiration for the skill and courage he demonstrated in sailing a sail boat from the Kingston Yacht Club across the Atlantic to Morocco in Africa.
Lamenting that “sadly, Jamaica has lost another of its truly gifted sons, the multi-talented Rupert ‘Gypsy’ Bent III” Minister Grange paid tribute to the veteran guitarist.
“Rupert not only showed himself to be a musician of exceptional class, but his versatility came to the fore when as a sailor he gained the highest certification from the American Sailing Association, that of master sailing instructor. Rupert was superb in everything he did and will not be easily forgotten.
“My condolences to his wife, Michelle Serrant-Bent, to his parents and his sister, Jana, and to the Third World Band, Sean Paul and to the music fraternity in general,” Grange said in closing.