Jamaican music lost another stalwart on November 14 with the death of Courtney Robb, former bass player of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires. His daughter, Jodikei, said he died from heart failure at a Melbourne, Florida hospital. 

Robb, who was 71, had fought kidney and heart problems for the past 15 years. He had a kidney transplant 10 years ago. 

Prior to joining the Dragonaires, the Kingston-born Robb was a member of the Hell’s Angels band that also included Wayne Armond, who became guitarist/vocalist with Chalice. 

Along with founders Lee, vocalist Keith Lyn and percussionist Carl Brady, Robb was a fixture of the Dragonaires, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s when the calypso/soca band toured the Caribbean and North America relentlessly. 

After he developed kidney problems in 2005, Robb left the Dragonaires and settled in Florida with his family. He became a Christian and taught bass and keyboards to aspiring musicians in Orlando where he lived. 

Courtney Robb is survived by his wife, six children and five grandchildren.

Written By Howard Campbell