Rosemarie Denise Simpson, daughter of Bunny Diamond, and deejay Little Twitch at the March 27 show honoring The Mighty Diamonds at Swift River Center in Queens, New York.
The music of The Mighty Diamonds filled Swift River Center in Queens, New York on March 27. That is where Tribute To Their Legacy, an event honoring that legendary roots-reggae trio, took place.
It was the fifth annual staging of the show, which is organised by the Caribbean American Society Of New York (CASONY), as well as families of Tabby Diamond and Bunny Diamond of The Mighty Diamonds, who died within days of each other in March and April, 2022.
It was attended by Donald Shaw Jr., son of Tabby, and Rosemarie Denise Ferguson, Bunny’s daughter.
According to Gerry Dawes of CASONY, “The response was overwhelming! Unfortunately, some patrons had to be turned away after the venue was packed to capacity, around 150 people, but everyone enjoyed themselves and was appreciative.”
There were performances by many artists including Derrick Barnett & Statement Band, Smurf, Chester Dawes, Barney Rebel, Original Prince Junior, Willow Wilson, Cherry Rock, Scepta, Little Twitch, Papa Michigan, J Written, the Afrikumba Utibe Drummers, Niquana White (The Healer) and Ras Osagyefo.
Organisers also honored people who have contributed to Tribute To Their Legacy since it was first held in 2022, as well as promoted the music of The Mighty Diamonds over the years. They are marketing consultant Sherein Lisa-Jean Morgan-Hill; singer Luther "Cherry Rock" Ellis; Trench Town stalwart Constantine Antonio “Dream” Walker; veteran music producer/show promoter Tony Owens; broadcaster Francine Chin; Neriah Foxe from the Church of Haile Selassie in Brooklyn, New York; broadcaster DubbMaster Chris; Richard “Little Twitch” Wright; deejay Anthony “Papa Michigan” Fairclough; and Horace Davis, founder and president of CASONY.
Tabby and Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson formed The Mighty Diamonds with Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson in Trench Town in 1969. They are famous for songs like ‘I Need A Roof’, ‘Africa’ and ‘The Right Time’.
Tabby, 67, was murdered near his Kingston home, while Bunny succumbed to complications of a long-term illness at age 70.
WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL