Barbados celebrates legacy of Spouge music and its creator, Jackie Opel

Barbados celebrated the legacy left behind by the legendary Father of Spouge, Jackie Opel on Tuesday, 27^th August 2024 at the Golden Square Freedom Park. The park came alive with the infectious sounds of Spouge for the Jackie Opel Tribute Concert.

The night welcomed together incredible Bajan talent to offer an unforgettable tribute to the Father of Spouge. The artists that graced the Jackie Opel Tribute Concert include Mike Grosvenor, Wendy Alleyne, Colin Spencer, Desmond Weekes, Ishiaka, Bit Bit, Simon Pipe, Keisha Christian, Romaro Greaves, Micky Dee, Alix Cage, Shadia Marshall, Jamal Slocombe, Adrian Clarke, and Edwin Yearwood.

Notably, Jackie was a singer, composer and creator of Spouge music. He was born on August 27, 1938, in Chapman Lane, Bridgetown and died on March 9, 1970. He was regarded as Barbados’ greatest ever ‘pop’ singer and vocal music icon.

He is only the second creative artiste from Barbados to have a concert venue named after him namely, The Jackie Opel Amphitheatre and the first singer to have been bestowed with such honour. ​​​​​​​He was accorded with this honour in 1998 in order to recognize his achievement in creating the Barbadian music beat Spouge in 1968-1969.​​​​​​​​

Jackie Opel is known as the first real musical ‘star’ of Barbados. His achievement highlights a concert played at the Jackie Opel Amphitheatre, it is established in order to help develop the talents of young Barbadians and to keep his name and legacy alive.​​​​​​​​

In 1962, Jackie was migrated to Jamaica where he lived for six years and impressed everyone with his vocal talents. For the same, he was also acknowledged with the coveted title of Male Vocalist of the Year 1965 and 1966. ​​​​​​

With his talent and music, he influenced the rising group of singers including Robert Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Ken Boothe, Alton Ellis, Desmond Dekker, Hopeton Lewis and Derrick Harriott. The singer returned to Barbados in 1968 and launched his new beat that combined rhythms and recorded a single album “The Memorable Jackie Opel.”

Today, Spouge had a huge effect on Barbadians who responded rapturously to the sound and his early records. His songs such as “You Got to Pay” and “Higher and Higher” received mega hits acclaim and is still alive in the hearts and minds of Barbadians.

Therefore, the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados celebrated his 86^th birth anniversary by giving a tribute to the artist. The Jackie Opel Tribute Concert was opened with the melodious rendition of “Any Day Now” by the feature band with Romaro Greaves.

After that, several artists performed on different songs and gave a memorable tribute to Jackie Opel. DJ Simmons and Simon Pipe came together to perform their rendition of “Snow Cone” and on the other hand, Desmond Weekes performed “Drink Milk.”

Ishiaka McNeil performed at “No Good”; Wendy Alleyne performed “Standby Love”; Adrian Clarke performed “You Gotta Pay”; Jamal Slocombe performed “Eternal Love”; Keisha Christian performed “You Send Me”; Alix Cage performed “My Country to Me”; Shadia Marshall performed “Knock on Wood”; Romaro Greaves also performed at “The Letter”; Bit Bit performed “Vehicle”; Mike Grosvenor performed “Gimme Music”; Colie Spencer performed “Marry Me”; Mickey Dee performed “Bet Your Life I Do”; Edwin Yearwood performed “Cry Me a River” at the Jackie Opel Tribute Concert.