Celebrating Prince Buster, a Jamaican Music Legend
Paying tribute to Prince Buster
By Nigel Spence
CJ Contributor
I was truly saddened to hear of the passing of one of Jamaica’s most memorable figures of our Ska history – the Hon. Cecil Bustamente Campbell, OD – A.K.A. Prince Buster – a songwriter, singer and producer, with popular songs in the 60’s such as “Judge Dread”, “Wash Wash”, “Madness”, “30 Pieces Of Silver” and so many more.
Buster’s greatest hits were mostly recorded before my time but I became familiar with his music over the years; hearing it played many times on various radio stations and also at the many house parties back in the day. People crowded the dance floor in an instant with arms flailing, heads bobbing, dancing to the Ska beat.
You could not help but smile whenever his songs were playing. Apart from the rich musical tones, the lyrics were amusing and timeless. Many of his song titles became household phrases often used to describe someone you knew or something that had happened.
My favorite at the time was: “What A Hard Man Fi Dead”. The lyrics bore a close resemblance to a peculiar dog we had when we were young called Pimpy. “Yu lick him up, yu lick him down, ‘im bounce right back…what a hard man (dog) fi dead!” And NO, I was not trying to kill our pet nor harm her in any way. This canine phenomenon did that all by herself. From I born til now I neva see a dog so lucky. Three times the dog was run over and feared dead, only to rise again!
Once I noticed I had not seen her in a day or two. I called out several times for her to come. Finally, she came crawling from under the house (the cellar) making her way towards me. I couldn’t understand why I had suddenly felt off balance. Looking closer, I realized the dog’s head was at a very strange angle – one eye was staring at me dead on, while the other was tilted towards the sky. Somehow or other, Pimpy had got mixed up in a fight and obviously did not come out the victor. The Vet said she had a really bad gash and was lucky to be alive (no surprise there!).
Pimpy had a bottom-less pit for a stomach. She could eat morning, noon and night if you let her. We all learned quickly never to leave food unattended if she was around – no joke! One day I swore my sister was going to kill the dog. She had just portioned her dinner and left it on the table for a second to get a drink from the refrigerator. When she got back, she was just in time to catch Pimpy making of with a juicy, fried chicken leg she stole from my sister’s plate. Oh Lord! You cannot imagine the tug-o-war that went on, but suffice it to say, nobody (including Pimpy) ate a chicken leg that day (lol). As Prince Buster would say: “Madness…they call it madness” – Ha! R.I.P. Prince B…
Jamaica celebrates National Heroes Day this month, on October 17, 2016. This is a time our people reflect on the brave ones who sacrificed their lives in the fight against slavery, so we could enjoy freedom.
I would like to show my respect to all our heroes, including those who have contributed so much to our arts and culture; paving the way for Jamaica’s recognition across the world as one of the most unique set of people in areas such as music, sports and of course, food.
Nigel Spence, a Culinary Institute of America alumnus, was born in Kingston, Jamaica. Nigel freelanced at the Television Food Network for 3 years where he worked with culinary luminaries such as Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse. Chef Spence has appeared twice on Throwdown with Bobby Flay where he emerged the victor in cook offs against the Food Network star and was featured on CBS when he appeared on Tony’s Table as well as ABC’s Neighborhood Eats, NBC’s The Today Show , Sirius’ Everyday Living with Martha Stewart and TVFN’s Chopped. The acclaimed and New York Times-reviewed Ripe Kitchen and Bar is Mr Spence’s first entrepreneurial endeavor.
