Leroy Sibbles’ The Reggae Boomerang Always Comes Back
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| Leroy Sibbles on stage at Lula Lounge's Sunday Jam - George Socka photo |
HUFFINGTON POST APRIL 2016 - Even a reggae star will take that boomerang
ride. Reggae pioneer bass player and singer Leroy Sibbles knows what it means to
take that boomerang ride. Born and raised in Jamaica he moved to Toronto in
1973, married and became a citizen. That was then, now he is back living in
Jamaica, and visits The Big Smoke whenever he can.
Sibbles was the lead singer and bass player for The Heptones in the 60’s and 70’s
and continues to this day performing in and around the US and the Caribbean. In
combination with his work with The Heptones, Sibbles was a session bassist and
arranger at Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's
Jamaica Recording and Publishing Studio. Kevin O’Brien Chang describes him as
“the greatest all-round talent in reggae history” in his 1998 book Reggae
Routes.
The Heptones were among the most prolific and
influential groups of the rock steady era – they evolved Jamaican ska music
into the world phenomenon of reggae. Signature Heptones songs included “Get In
The Groove,” “Ting A Ling,” “Fattie Fattie,” “Got To Fight On To The Top”, and
“Sweeting Talking.” Sibbles left Jamaica in 1972 but continued to tour with the
group for another 4 years. After moving to Canada Sibbles established a
successful solo career winning a number of record awards including a Juno.
He is currently in Toronto visiting friends
and family and playing a very rare gig at the Boomer Palace – the Dundas Street
West Lula Lounge. I caught up with the founding member of the Heptones, just
before he took to the stage at the Sunday Jam afternoon concert.
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| Putting Soul Into His Reggae - photo by Weir |
“ I used to live in Toronto,” said the 67-year
old singer and bass player. “I spent over 20 years here in Toronto, in Canada, so
this is where (my headspace) really is. I
settled in here for more than 20 years and I went back to Jamaica for 20 years
so we are talking about a 40-year span (in my life). Right now I am living in
Kingston, Jamaica and I am here for a Toronto gig.”
The “gig” that he talks about, was a
reunion of old school Canadian reggae performers - Jay Douglas (founding
member of the Cougars), Ossie D, Chester Miller (Jamaican/Canadian reggae/dancehall performer) and Elaine 'Lil'Bit
Shepherd (2011 Reggae Recording Juno winner). The audience was an aging Reggae fans who knew
the songs and still had the moves on the dance floor.
Sibbles says he is blown away by the fact that Toronto
is the second largest hub for Jamaican music in the world. He also is quietly pleased that the city has
recognized the importance of the music.
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| The Reggae Alley Mural by Adrian Hayles - Photo Stephen Weir |
“ I was here late last year for (the
unveiling of Reggae Alley) a huge mural by Caribbean Canadian artist Adrian
Hayles,” he said. “It was not just about me. It was for all the Canadian reggae
heroes who were involved in the physical creation of Jamaican music here in
Canada.”
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| Close-up of Leroy Sibbles mural - Weir |
“I passed it up (the mural) yesterday on Eglinton,
and I know it was a tribute to all these guys! We are grateful for this because
it is nice to be recognized for things that you have done that are positive.”
Sibbles is getting set to head out on the
road again. He has no plans to play in
Toronto for the rest of the year because he has his sights set on Africa. But, with his roots here in Toronto, that
boomerang effect is always at play, and he knows he will be coming home again
soon.
“Toronto is major for me because I have
spent so much time building (my career) here,” he explains. But, “the next place I want to be is
Africa. I never been there, I am
thinking I would like to go. We are in discussions with some people so I could
be there in November for the month.”
Story By Stephen Weir
Photographs by George Socka and Stephen Weir
Video by George Socka
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