The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE BODY of international Bahamian R&B singer Johnny Kemp will be brought home and laid to rest on May 16 in Grand Bahama.

A free memorial concert is planned for May 15 at Taino Beach, where musicians, artists, bands and Bahamians will pay musical tribute to Mr Kemp, who grew up and lived in Freeport.

Nat Cambridge, president of the Grand Bahama Entertainers Musicians and Artists Association, said the concert will start at 7.30pm at Toni Macaroni on the Beach, where Mr Kemp spent a lot of time. “That is where he chose to hang out and regenerate during the time when he was here visiting in Grand Bahama,” he said.

Mr Kemp, who was best known for his 1988 hit song, “Just Got Paid,” died last month in Jamaica. He was 55. His funeral will take place at 11am at the Jubilee Cathedral, Settler’s Way, on May 16. Mr Kemp’s wife, Deidre, and two sons will fly in from New York. His family lives in Grand Bahama and he is one of eight siblings.

“His body is in transit and he will be interred here,” said Mr Cambridge. “They are having ceremonies as well for him in New York. We know that everybody will not be able to fit in the church, and so we want them to come out to Taino Beach and support the family in this time and say farewell to Mr Kemp.”

Mr Cambridge is inviting entertainers, musicians and the community to attend the memorial concert, where Visage, Panache, Wilfred Solomon, the Police Pop Band and others will be performing. “We want persons to come and share their talents in an effort to honour this cultural and international icon,” he said.

Joe ‘Kinky’ Fox, the leader of the Fox Fire Band, the first band that Mr Kemp played with, also will be there. Efforts are also being made to have international artists perform.

David Wallace, president of Freeport High/Bishop Michael Eldon High School Alumni Association, and a former classmate of Mr Kemp, said that will keep the memory of the musician alive at the school. Mr Kemp attended the Freeport High School in 1973 and was graduated in 1976. He participated in the school’s talent shows and was talented and popular.

Mr Kemp attended the 46th anniversary reunion in Freeport, where he performed and paid tribute to his father.

The Alumni Association will fund an annual award – the Johnny Kemp Award for Music – to be presented at the school’s graduation. “It is our attempt to keep his name alive in this institution because he was an integral part between 1973 to 1976/77,” Mr Wallace said. “He has left us lasting memories … and we will never forget him. We will also seek to honour him at our 50th anniversary banquet on August 1.”

Principal Anita Doherty said the school had been looking forward to Johnny’s attendance at this year’s reunion. “We will do all we can to keep his memory alive and we want to let the family know that we are here for them. We will celebrate a wonderful life of someone who has gone too soon, and we are going to do all we can to ensure that his memory stays alive,” she said.

Blanton Kemp said the family want to keep his brother’s legacy going. “We are pleased to support the musician’s association in having this free music jam to honour Johnny on May 15 and we would like the public to come out and support it,” he said.