KINGSTON, Jamaica: Bandleader Byron Leader, who entertained the Caribbean for more than 50 years, died on Thursday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica.

A few days before his passing the Jamaican government had bestowed on him the Order of Jamaica (OJ).


Byron Lee. Photo: Cayman Net News The Jamaican Gleaner reported that the Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall went to the hospital to make the presentation in the presence of Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Minister of Information, Culture Youth and Sports Olivia Grange, relatives and friends.

The 73-year-old Lee had been fighting transitional cell cancer was being treated in Miami, Florida, for a few weeks. He was also diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago and returned to Jamaica last weekend because he said he preferred to die in his homeland.

Prime Minister Golding said at the presentation of his OJ award, "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."

Golding added, "Byron Lee and the Dragonaires had taken their music to Jamaica and the rest of the world."

Noting that the band only two years ago celebrated its 50th anniversary, Golding said Byron Lee and the Dragonaires entertained, inspired and mesmerised three generations of Jamaicans.

Some of the band’s hits were Jamaican Ska, Tiney Winey and Give Me Soca.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-11886--9-9--.html

He made so many catchy songs - still highly popular today. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (sp) came to Belize a few times - always such a hit.

I have a photo of Byron Lee with my grandson and me taken when he was here in 2001, but can't figure out how to attach it! Love his music.

I understand Byron Lee is still alive -- it was all a journalistic error that started in Guyana and spread into the Caribbean.

--Lan Sluder

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Bandleader Byron Leader, who entertained the Caribbean for more than 50 years, died on Thursday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica.
http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-11886--9-9--.html

There is also a report of the lead singer Vic Taylor having died Oct 30, 2008 of a cardiac arrest.

Jesse,

That Caribbeannetnews report is in error. It was corrected in later editions.

That's what happens when media organizations depend on other people's news reporting.

--Lan Sluder

>>

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SOCA pioneer and leader of the world renowned ‘Byron Lee and the Dragonaires’, Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee is not dead.

Children of the 73-year-old Jamaican icon recently issued a missive which sought to clear the air on the reports that sparked erroneous releases from media houses in Canada, USA and around the Caribbean, including SKNVibes.

The missive reads:

Dear All,

Our Dad is very much alive. Since Tuesday afternoon, we all have been bombarded with e-mails, calls, faxes, etc., re: a rumour which started in Canada that my Dad passed away at 4am. This news is also now being circulated in the USA, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Not true. Please circulate this mail to everyone that he is very much ALIVE and is bravely fighting. He has been bossing all of us around, and as usual, getting his own way (with our pleasure).

Please keep him in your prayers and continue to send him much love and hope! Don’t give up on him.
Thanks again for your love and concern, Deanna, Julianne, Edward, John, Byron Jr., Judy & Shelia.

SKNVibes apologises for the erroneous reported posted on its site yesterday, Sunday, November 2.

Looks like it was a false alarm.

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/news-11926--9-9--.html

I think that your personal comment was a little uncalled for Lan - and perhaps a little beneath the standards I usually consider worthy of you and your typically great reporting. Most media houses cross reference and work together and pick up international reports and run with them. And it seems that not only Jesse was duped - if in fact the story you have run is true.

Byron Lee alive and resting, say hospital
Published on Monday, November 3, 2008
KINGSTON, Jamaica: Contrary to earlier reports, well-known bandleader Byron Lee, who entertained the Caribbean for more than 50 years, was in fact alive and resting comfortably in the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica.


Byron Lee. Photo: Cayman Net News According to a statement by the hospital on Sunday night, Lee had received visits during the day from a multitude of family, friends and well-wishers.

The 73-year-old Lee has been fighting transitional cell cancer and was treated in Miami, Florida, for a few weeks. He was also diagnosed with bladder cancer two years ago and returned to Jamaica last weekend.

Lee is well-loved for his music throughout the region and also in the many overseas centres where the Caribbean Diaspora has settled.

The government of Jamaica last week bestowed the Order of Jamaica (OJ) on Lee.

However, hundreds of emails from fans of Byron Lee originating in Toronto started to circulate late Thursday night and Friday morning that the famous bandleader had passed, prompting the Kaieteur News of Guyana to report his passing, which was also picked up by Caribbean Net News.

Lee’s children subsequently wrote a letter to Kaieteur News, which was published in Monday's issue of the newspaper

It reads:

“Dear All: Our dad is very much alive. Since Tuesday afternoon, we have been bombarded with emails, calls, faxes etc, re: a rumour which started in Canada that my Dad passed way at 4 am. This news is also now being circulated in the USA, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Not true. Please circulate this mail to everyone that he is very much ALIVE and is bravely fighting. He has been bossing all of us around, and as usual, getting his own way (with our pleasure).

Please keep him in your prayers and continue to send him much love and hope. Don't give up on him.

Thanks again for your love and concern,

Deanna, Julianne, Danielle, Edward John, Byron Jr., Judy and Sheila.”

A similar email from Lee's children was also received by Caribbean Net News, which learnt on Sunday night from hospital sources that the 73 year old had received visits during the day from family and friends.

We apologise to the children, other relatives, friends and fans of the well-known musician for the misleading report.

Sadly, Byron Lee has now passed away. He died Tuesday, Nov. 4 (yesterday).

--Lan Sluder

Thanks for the final truth...