THEY CLAPPED, sang and danced to the infectious rhythms of gospel as Barbadians said farewell to the revered Joseph Niles yesterday.
A service of national appreciation, entitled Just A Rose Will Do, took place at the Wildey Gymnasium where hundreds came to pay their respects. It featured tributes in word and song as well as Niles himself – albeit on a big screen – reliving his glory days.
The biggest response came when Niles’ former Consolers bandmates rendered Royal Telephone and Walking Up The King’s Highway and almost everyone in the Gymnasium got to their feet.
It was just the kind of response the only person from the region inducted into the International Gospel Hall of Fame would have wanted.
Even so, there was still an element of sadness to the event as those close to him felt the loss of a man who had a big impact on them all. (CA)
Here, widow Beverley Niles (right) standing next to her late husband as relatives and friends line up to get a last look. (Picture by Ricardo Leacock.)