King of Spouge to have his day

Starting next year, August 27th will be known as Jackie Opel Day, in celebration of one of Barbados’ most iconic cultural figures.

Culture Minister, John King made the disclosure as a digital monument honouring the King of Spouge was unveiled at his final rest place in the Westbury Cemetery on Thursday.

“As a representative of Government, I am proud to say that starting next year, this day, August 27th will officially be known as Jackie Opel Day. I am really elated and I really want to thank the Cabinet for agreeing to this along with the artist who came into the office who asked that this could be done,” Minister King disclosed.

During a ceremony attended by some of the country’s most renowned artists and cultural practitioners, he said that the area which is near to Rihanna Drive and The Mighty Grynner Highway ought to be filled with more artistic tributes.

“I think from here onward, it’s going to be more than what we are doing this evening. There are some other things that we have to do. When you look at the area, you have Rihanna Drive just next door and then just up the highway you have the Mighty Grynner Highway,” King told the crowd at Westbury.

“This is becoming an area that celebrates the musical greatness of this country and I am hoping that as time goes on, that we can fill these spaces with other iconic people like Richard Stoute and Tony Grazette and our songwriters and producers to make people understand the important contribution that these people have made and continue to make to the musical landscape of, not only Barbados, but the entire world,” he added.

Jackie Opel, born Dalton St. Clair Bishop on August 27, 1937 is hailed as an iconic singer and dancer, who was highly respected across the region and credited as the inventor of “spouge” music. The icon would have been 83 years old today.

“We can celebrate all kinds of other things, but I think the time has come when we are talking about our new national consciousness, and part of it is about celebrating the excellence of our people,” King declared.

The digital monument at his grave was created by local artist Von Hall with the support of the Copyright Society of Composers Authors and Publishers Incorporated (COSCAP) and the Clyde B Jones Funeral Home who coordinated his funeral back in 1970.

During his brief remarks, Adisa Aja Andwele who worked on the unveiling for the project, declared that the life of Jackie Opel ought to continue to be celebrated for his contribution to the country.

“People outside of Barbados also do it. In Ireland, his memory is celebrated with a festival and also a town in Italy also celebrates Jackie Opel. Somebody told me that Barbadians don’t know how big Jackie Opel is,” he said.
(KS)