A celebration of life, Barbadian music and entertainment unfolded at Bagatelle Great House, St Thomas, on Saturday.
It was as if the key forces that have given life to Barbadian culture had converged on this relic of Barbadian heritage.
Under the veil of a birthday party to celebrate 70 years for Al Gilkes and 25 for his son Damani, a microcosm of the Barbadian entertainment and mass media fraternity which has influenced the path of our musical culture in the post-Independence era celebrated life.
The faces of the guests were almost all very familiar to any one who follows public affairs in Barbados. Interestingly enough, these people have all been close to Al over the years. His partner in show business promotion from way back in the 1960’s, Mark Williams, was understandably there as the inseparable other half of the show business entity that gave prominence to the music and entertainment industry.
Mark, speaking on behalf of Al at the celebration, reinforced this inseparability when he said: “Al and myself go back many years. Both of us would always do whatever we were doing in a spirit of goodwill and love.
We consider ourselves to be lasting friends. We were in show business and we did a lot of things together.
“God will understand that what we did we did with a purpose and are now receiving blessings for it.”
Al’s associates in those early years, in the 1960s and 1970s when show business was primarily the domain of private individuals with a passion for the risk-taking that was endemic to that entrepreneurial activity, were thrilled with the nostalgia that the event offered.
These associates included entertainers Tony Grazette and William Smokey Burke; Antonio Boo Rudder, player and manager of the Blue Rhythm Combo; businessman/pharmacist Jeffrey Browne who has been a principal support for the entertainment business through the sale of tickets in central Bridgetown; Junior Quinton, entertainment aficionado who offered back-up support to many and diverse shows over the years; and Roy Byer, photographer and tent manager. These folk are icons in the entertainment industry.
In more recent times, Al has been associated with the music and entertainment industry in his capacity as chairman of the National Cultural Foundation and partner in FAS Entertainment, known for promotion of the Digicel
The presence of his associates of more recent vintage clearly reflected this period of Al’s life. Partners of FAS Entertainment, the lively Freddy Hill who is usually as busy as a bee, seemed contained by the moment and the behind-the-scene Sherlock
Wall tried unsuccessfully to keep a low profile.
The minister under whom Al served as chairman, Mia Mottley; and the chief executive officer, Ian Estwick, who served under Al, were both present.
The flamboyant Harold Hoyte could not be missed for his trade-mark and easy-going smile. He, along with Al have both made their mark on the Barbadian media-scape for bringing an earthiness to the Nation newspaper that gained for it mass recognition, acceptance and at times adoration over the years. Their sense of humour demonstrated in the people-friendly and witty columns brought a new feel to Barbadian journalism.
Al’s associates from the Nation included former editors Roxanne Gibbs, still with that beaming smile, and the multi-talented Glyne Murray, who also had some forays into the entertainment business. Longstanding Nation staff who were associated with Al over the years, Timothy Slinger and Ridley Greene, were highly visible as well.
Al the businessman, a public relations consultant of great distinction, was also reflected in the presence of other guests. These included Hartley Henry, the business partner who shares part of the business name
Al-Hart. Representatives of his clients gradually showed up. These included Ralph Bizzy Williams and his lovely wife Shelly, an entrepreneur in her own right; and Trevor Tasker of Digicel.
An event of this nature would not have been complete without the kings of calypso, Gabby and Red Plastic Bag, who although not giving live performances were both holding more than a fair share of attention.
Al, who was lavished with hugs and kisses, particularly from the younger ladies who were dressed in their finest alluring outfits, was no doubt the envy of others who had to give way to the man of the moment.
Rev Wes Hall, the former great West Indian fast bowler, Government minister, business executive, and lover of entertainment, in offering a few words on behalf of Al recognised that 70 was a wonderful age for “knowledge and experience is power”.
Al showed that he still has much more to offer as he and Mac Fingall demonstrated their fitness and dexterity as they danced nearly all the way down to the floor with bended knees to the popular Lil Rick calypso Guh Down and worked their way back up.
Al’s mum, Millicent Gilkes, at 97 years was also there, as alert as any one else enjoying a tribute to her son while she sat in the company of her daughter, Leandra Gray-Bowen.
His daughters, all with their own style and charm, were clearly overwhelmed by the occasion. His son Damani, 25, was also celebrating his birthday and sharing the moment although not equally.
This was more a tribute to the life of a man who has made an outstanding contribution to entertainment, journalism and business in Barbados.
As RPB’s song Something’s Happening reverberated across the floor, the guests could identify with the words: “Something’s happening, and it’s so exciting.”