Almost half-century ago, on March 9, 32-year-old Dalton Sinclair Bishop, better known by his stage name Jackie Opel, died in an accident.
Days later his coffin was driven through Westbury, St Michael, to its final resting place in Westbury Cemetery. The traditional funeral was abandoned for a man whose life rose beyond the accepted norm.
Astonishing numbers flooded the cemetery, lining the walls and battling for the best vantage point to get a glimpse of Opel for the last time.
Yesterday, 48 years on, a ceremony to rededicate his grave attracted similar attention. Although the crowd wasn’t as massive as in 1970, it was as impactful as throngs, including his contemporaries, came out to celebrate his life and legacy paying him the respect that eluded him in life.
Brothers Ken and Sydney Jones, of Clyde B. Funeral Home who, along with Opel, were members of The Troubadours, led off the tributes, with a tearful Ken recounting his awe at Opel’s vocal ability.
Opel was described as the best voice that ever came out of the island, as well as a great dancer and musician by entertainer Richard Stoute, who shared a few memories and jokes about Opel, who took him under his wing as a youngster.
Former journalist turned promoter Al Gilkes heaped praise on Opel, as he insisted that Opel might be feeling a sense of satisfaction today, having been finally recognised as the great that he was.
“The night Jackie died he was preparing for what would have been his first major solo performance . . . Jackie Opel In Concert. Mark Williams was the person responsible for it. Like two nights before we were doing rehearsals and when it was finished the three of us were leaving together and Jackie touched Mark and asked, ‘You really feel people coming to this show?’ Mark responded, ‘Wait and see’.
“So I am happy because I believe for the first time in his life and death Jackie Opel is smiling. Jackie Opel lived a life that he was subjected to all the social hatred that Barbados was known to have and still exists,” Gilkes said.
Minister of Sport and Culture Stephen Lashley noted that Opel’s legacy is underscored during the National Independence Festival Of Creative Arts, especially since the Jackie Opel Award was introduced in 2012. The initiative has significantly increased the number of Barbadian original music entries in the competition averaging 37 original music entries annually, 225 over the past six years.
“Today, Jackie’s name still triggers animated conversation about his musical gift, exactly 48 years after his untimely and tragic death in a car crash on Bay Street, St Michael. Jackie Opel had hoped to make an international brand, which never materialised. However, his legacy has gained gradual recognition from his countrymen in recent years . . . ,” Lashley added.
The celebrations wrapped up as artistes surrounded the new tomb, built by Steven Quintyne, to render Opel’s Eternal Love.
Opel’s daughter Rhonda Greaves, who was eight when he died, was overwhelmed. She extended her gratitude to COSCAP, Clyde B. Jones Funeral Home, and all who worked to make the event a reality.
“I glad to see that at least the folks didn’t forget him and that I live to see something happen for him. I prayed and asked the Lord let me live to see something good happen for him so that when I go along I can go along feeling good . . . . There is a beginning for everything . . . . I always got him in my heart. If I hear he music, certain songs I hear, no matter [where I am], I does cry . . . . On my way to the beach sometimes I come through here and go there and talk to he – I can’t forget he,” she said. (SDB Media)
