Byron Lee: One of the Greatest

By Shyko Amos-Zwambila

The Dragon, Caribbean Musical Icon and Bandleader are just some of the titles used to describe the late Byron Lee who passed away on November 4, 2008 after a brave battle with cancer.

How do you begin to pay homage to a man, whose music has successfully spanned 50 years, entertaining three generations of Caribbean people? As a twenty-six year old hearing of Byron Lee’s death, I instantly remembered my grandfather giving me the nickname Tiny Winey at the age of about three. Tiny Winey was the first calypso tune I knew and would cement my love of this music forever. "Grandad" Amos would sing to me "tiny winey" and I would answer him with that well known refrain, "wine yuh boom boom". This was the magic of Byron Lee’s music. For so many West Indians worldwide, his catchy, rhythmic melodies brought love and togetherness across the ages, and across the islands.

Born Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee, June 27, 1935 in Manchester, Jamaica, a young Lee very quickly became a gifted musician learning how to play the piano effortlessly. In 1957, he would officially form the popular band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and during the 60s and 70s they gave the sound of Jamaica (ska, reggae and soca) a mass appeal both at home and abroad. While Bob Marley and The Wailers were struggling to get air play, it was Byron Lee and the Dragonaires who were the ambassadors for Jamaican music. However, when artists such as Bob Marley and the like became mainstream, Lee was criticized for his music being too, "soft". Before his death, this criticism was put to rest as he was honored with The Order of Jamaica. At the ceremony, Prime Minister Goulding said, "Byron Lee and the Dragonaires was an institution that made such an impact on the lives of so many people, and his contribution must be boldly recorded when the history of Jamaican music is being written.”

Not content with just being a talented musician, Lee will also be remembered for his great business acumen. In 1965, Lee Enterprises was created, and produced hit shows for the likes of James Brown, Al Green, The Drifters and others. In 1968, Lee bought West Indies records, renamed it Dynamic Studios and was home to recording stars such as The Rolling Stones and David Bowie. Like any other great calypsonian, Byron Lee’s previous accolades meant little until he had brought Carnival to his own Island. In 1990, he launched the annual "Byron Lee Jamaica Carnival" in Kingston, of which he was most proud.

Lee is survived by his wife, two sons, four daughters and seven grandchildren. Many moving statements have been made about his loss to Caribbean culture but I think it only right to end on the words of the man himself. Byron (The Dragon) Lee said, "From my mother, who was of African descent, I received the soul, rhythm and love of music… and from my father, who was Chinese, I received my shrewd business sense. When I die, how would I like to be remembered? In the same way that fine wines, luxury cars, premium whisky, the world’s top cricket ground or the leading telecom providers are remembered, Top of the line. People should say I gave quality and value for money.”

Byron Lee, Island Vibes salutes you!

(Shyko Amos-Zwambila is a contributor to Island Vibes Magazine and writes about Caribbean culture and entertainment. For comments, please feel free to contact her at shyko@islandvibesmag.com.)