For legions of reggae fans, John Holt is reggae royalty --- the singer's singer. But he will always be father and grandfather to Junior and Bamm Holt.
Commited to keeping interest in his music alive, they are promoters of "A Tribute to Reggae Legend John Holt", a concert scheduled for October 23 at The Garden in Fort Lauderdale.
Junior and Bamm will perform on the show alongside Freddie McGregor and his son, Chino.
Junior Holt stressed the importance of keeping fans, old and new, up to speed with the voluminous catalog of his father who died in October, 2014 at age 67.
"It mean a lot to keep my father's legacy alive. If me and my son don't pick up the torch, the 'voltz' would just die down. So, it's a proud moment for me," he said.
"Voltz" is the Voltz of Holt Foundation Junior and Bamm Holt formed to preserve the Holt legend. In addition to highlighting his classic songs, it has a philanthropic aspect, with funds recently donated to a primary school in Jamaica.
John Holt recorded profusely in a career that started in the late 1950's as a pre-teen on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, which was Jamaica's American Idol.
With rock steady trio The Paragons and as a solo act, he cut a flood of hit songs regarded among reggae's finest. They include Wear You to The Ball, On The Beach, Stick by Me, Stranger in Love, Strange Things and Police in Helicopter.
Bamm Holt, who is in his late 20's, wants his peers --- mainly into dancehall music --- to discover the type of songs his grandfather made famous.
"I want to introduce my generation to happy music, lovers music, lovers rock. That is my goal," he said.
Written By Howard Campbell