The Tribune

By Athama Bowe


Way back then in Calabash Bay, Andros, some 75 years ago, Quebell Lundy, a hard-working farmer and fisherman, was preparing to welcome another offspring into the world – to the harsh living on the Out Islands, made delightful by the sheer beauty of the clear waters, beaches, peace, quiet and the joy of church music and little spirits.
His wife, Virginia, was well on with child; she was real heavy and the midwife a considerable distance away by donkey.
With the gentle breeze lifting the nearby banana and cane tassels, the midwife shouted praises as the newest Lundy sprang forth; it was a boy.

Papa Lundy loved his spirit and named the boy child Bradley Leon.
Strong and fertile, the Lundys produced a total of 13 children. Brad was a creative and restless one, he wanted to leave the routine of school, fishing, crabbing, swimming in the creeks and longed to see the bright lights of Nassau City.
Scheming with a favourite uncle, Brad got his loving parents to let him leave for school in New Providence.
Brad was always enjoyed his years at St John’s College Nassau and the regretted for not completing his education.
But the ways of the city beckoned and Brad discovered that he was brave enough to dazzle tourists and locals with his song and dance.
Busboy, waiter, groupie – Brad soon got the hang of the entertainment trade. With the support of family and friends, Brad joined the Tony, Ezra, Wendell, Sonny, Smokey, Delamore crowd – the crooning Jerry Butler of the Bahamas had arrived.
Convinced that the world had more to offer, Brad took off to New York, where he travelled about with Tony Makay, Sidney Poitier and the freebirds of Greenwich Village.
A recording contract put Brad up there, and he wore the mantle very well.

Brad Lundy was clean to the bone, immaculate to a fault and master of his stage and the moment.
Always connected to his roots, Brad supported the Lynden Pindling vision and journey for the Bahamas. For his contributions to the cause, Brad received the highest honour from the Progressive Liberal Party when he was made a stalwart councillor.

He took every opportunity to attend council meetings, rallies and conventions.
Among his friends, Brad counted Perry Christie, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, Bradley Roberts, Nat Saunders, Hubert Ingraham, Chris Fox, Ceddie Munnings and Percy Sweeting.

In the near dark hours of Thursday, April 3, Brad Lundy left his home in Stapledon Gardens to continue his fitness routine, walking briskly along the road.
No one could have imagined that on that quiet, blessed morning, time and life was being taken from one of our finest.
The collision of metal, flesh and bones must have been sudden, shocking and painful. Brad had no chance to scream, run or flee. Right there, in a flash, he was taken from us in a traffic accident. Reports that an unidentified man had been killed by a vehicle near the AF Adderley School did not stir many as they scurried about, going to work and preparing for the weekend.
For Bradley Lundey Jr, he heard the story about his father’s tragic accident from strangers.
Just a few days before, Prime Minister Christie spoke about his respect for and the concern which he held for the Bahamian entertainers of yesteryear, those who had given so much, and those for whom later life had become very hard.

He told Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson to look into this, calling on the leadership of the Bahamas Musician’s Union to assist.
Just like he would have scripted it, Brad would have heard radio station after radio station, play his music.
Oh Andros, you have lost a favourite son. He did you proud in those 75 years.
Sleep on my friend, now you can sing with the angels, Duke Hanna, Tony, Piccolo, FM, Eloise, Blake, Donald and Swain.