IslandMix - Soca, Reggae, Zouk and Caribbean Entertainment

6'oclock, morning,Thursday, 9th of March,1970.

radio muffled voice sad.

"JACKIE OPEL ALSO KNOWN AS DALTON BISHOP HAS DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT,IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THIS MORNING. JACKIE OPEL, BARBADOS LEADING ENTERTAINER WAS TRAVELING ALONG BAY STREET WHEN THE CAR IN WHICH HE WAS TRAVELING RAN OFF THE ROAD. THERE ARE NO MORE DETAILS AT THIS TIME,,, BUT.. WE WILL .will will ...

rain tears fell suddenly

like a quick shower

heavy overcast hearts

stood in silence

a dis.believe

world

in villages all across

the land.

hungry
school morn.in


grey clouds gathered
as if heaven was sad

one man's life
becoming a burden to our hearts
still,still,walk,slowly,
onwards
through the pain
chapman lane became a shrine
that morning
that morning
when the music stop
like heartbeats
trembling
beats like a spouge song
wandering in and out
like pictures in dreams
and people crying crying cr..y
like none before
like their fatherson was dead
and was "teking dem life" away
before they could breathe

it was an awful day
solemn music radio sulk
in corner rooms
where tears shed
passages openly

jamaica too had lost
a son
doreen shaffer had lost
her singing partner
who,now, will sing
welcome back home?"
and old rocking chair?
who? who?
the news hit the skatallites
band like a drum beat
off key
and jackie mitto
long piano play swerve
into bass

who? who?

Don Drummond gone
now Jackie Opel gone
and the gone.gone
gone.

the music has stopped
but the tape is still running


Funeral day
they gathered in a crowd of tears
sipping dry
drawing breaths
trying to give him life
but it was over
like a quick hand shake
Jackie was gone
but some of us
live for him
still we listen to his song

"sometimes i wonder
why this world
keeps tumbling down
in my little bed

but i keep on praying
each and everyday
for god's light

oh you know
i'm so happy
oh so so glad
i'm so glad
that god is mine.

Dalton Bishop
aka
Jackie "manface' Opel

Thank you.

DY



BAJAN BEE
Member posted 15 June 2001 20:42
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Dev, I went to your story and that is a very wonderful and touching tribute to the late great Jackie Opel. When in Barbados last November I heard him on the radio and was told that the radio stations play lots of old bajan music for the whole month of November in celebration of Independence. I will definitely be ordering that CD from Amazon.com

boobee
Member posted 16 June 2001 06:55
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Greetings.
I've been an observer of the postings here for several weeks and upon reading about Jackie Opel, as beautifully written by Dev, I just had to express my feelings.
A chill ran up and down my spine...pure magic, I felt the passion of the writer for the performer.

Where do I find his music?



Dev
Member posted 18 June 2001 17:47
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hi
You can find his music on amazon.com
Just go to music and type his name.
Enjoy
Dev
.