The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MEMORIAL service for Bahamian-born international R&B singer Johnny Kemp was held on Saturday when family, friends, dignitaries, and fans filled St John’s Jubilee Cathedral in Freeport to pay their final respects to the international musical icon.

Mr Kemp, who died last month aged 55, was laid to rest during a private interment in his mother’s tomb at the Grand Bahama Memorial Park on Friday.

Leading the family procession into the church were Mr Kemp’s wife, Deirdre, and their two sons, Jared and Jason, who travelled from New York. The service was conducted by his brother, Pastor Percy Kemp, and his eldest brother, Bishop Sobig Kemp, delivered the sermon.

The moving service included tributes from several of Mr Kemp’s close childhood friends, including Obie Pindling, the son of the late Sir Lynden Pindling, the former Prime Minister.

Mr Pindling recalled when he first met and became friends with Johnny Kemp at Government High School in 1970. Along with Dr Conville Brown they were best friends and the trio formed a band, with Mr Kemp as the lead singer and drummer. He also lightened the mood by telling how Mr Kemp was the shortest of the three and how they looked forward to trips to his grandfather’s bakery.

Singer Jay Mitchell, a fellow singer at the El Casino, performed a solo tribute, My Way, while Joe ‘Kinky’ Fox, the leader/manager of the Fox Fire Band with whom Mr Kemp played in New York, told of their struggles before making it big in the music industry. He said they had to take side jobs as dishwashers.

Former classmate David Wallace told how Mr Kemp, who relocated with his family in 1973 to Grand Bahama, was a hit in their talent shows at Freeport High School. “He was an outstanding talent,” he told the congregation.

One of the most emotional moments in the service was when Mr Kemp’s sons paid tribute to their father and shared a letter they had found after he had died. In the letter, Kemp told his sons how proud he was of them.

Grand Bahama was where Mr Kemp would find solace and re-generate. He returned home every summer to spend time with his family and would also hang out at Taino Beach.

One of eight siblings, the talented Mr Kemp landed his first job as a singer/performer in the casino. He moved to New York, in 1979, to pursue his dream. In 1988, his smash hit song, Just Got Paid, soared to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 during that year and was nominated for Best R&B song at the 1989 Grammy Awards.

Earlier he had released two solo albums – a self titled debut in 1986, and his 1987 Secrets of Flying, which brought him two top five R&B singles. Mr Kemp was an accomplished musician, composer, and producer. He performed with Keith Sweat and worked with Teddy Riley. He also composed Kalik with Baha Men and sang background vocals in Vanessa Bell Armstrong’s Wonderful One to name a few. His musical career spanned from 1982 to 2013.

On Friday evening, musical tributes were paid to Mr Kemp during a memorial concert at Taino Beach, where his songs were played. About 200 gathered at his favourite spot, Toni Macaroni on the Beach, where he would enjoy a bowl of conch salad and a Kalik beer.

Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville said while Johnny Kemp was an international icon, he never forgot his Bahamian roots. He then led off with a “Just Got Paid” song tribute. Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement, Peter Turnquest, spoke highly of Mr Kemp. “He is a Bahamian icon,” he said, adding that he brought recognition to Bahamian culture through his visibility on the international stage.

Lois Seiler, who taught Mr Kemp ballet, spoke fondly of him and his talents. She helped to groom Mr Kemp, recruiting him to perform in the hotel and casino shows.

Performers from the Grand Bahama Entertainers, Musicians and Artists Association (GBEMAA) also performed. Wilfred Solomon and the Magnetics, Joe Kinky Fox, Leo Saunders, Frank Lightbourne, Pat Boston and David Bowen, a close childhood friend, also performed musical tributes.

Bishop Sobig Kemp and Pastor Simeon Outten and New Life Band sang a moving rendition of It Is Well.

Former classmate Nat Cambridge, president of the GBEMAA, said that Mr Kemp was a “great entertainer” and that his legacy will continue to live on in Grand Bahama, particularly at Freeport High/Bishop Michael Eldon High School, where a music award will be named in his honour.