Observer’s final farewell Saturday

Kaisonian and “patriot” Colin Observer Reid will be laid to rest this Saturday.

The funeral service takes place at 1 p.m. at Coral Ridge Memorial Gardens, Christ Church. The family has requested that those in attendance not wear mourning colours as the service will be a celebration of his life.

It was on Thursday, September 3, when Observer was found dead at his Grazettes, St Michael, home around 3: 55 p.m.

Reports indicated that concerned friends who heard no response from Reid’s home then attempted to enter the residence. His body was subsequently found in a state of decomposition.

The shocking news left his family in mourning and was a blow the local entertainment fraternity described as a “huge loss”. Since his death many tributes have poured in with fellow entertainers speaking not only of his yeoman contribution to the artform but the community as a whole.

Apart from the wonderful songs he penned for himself, Observer also wrote calypsos for other performers and mentored many on and off stage.

Observer, who turned 65 in August, leaves to mourn his daughter Zena Worrell, son Corey Douglas and three grandchildren – one girl and two boys. The majority of his family, including his mother and brothers, are all overseas.

Last Sunday evening a candlelight vigil was held in Grazettes, St Michael in front his home. Candles were lit as many of Observer’s classic calypso selections were played in between tributes from his friends and calypso contemporaries.

Though the general atmosphere was a solemn one, residents were pleased to see that though his death was sudden, the legacy of his biting lyrics would live on.

Residents in the area voiced their support to invest in a memorial of some sort in the area, so that the name, legacy and impact the stalwart had in the community, would be remembered for future generations to come.

The beloved calypsonian who became known as the People’s King, first came on the kaiso stage in 1983. Over the years he performed with Kaiso Palace Tent, Contenders, All Stars, Super Gladiators, Shining Stars and more recently House of Soca.

But it was in 1991 when he brought the mega hit Cat Attack along with Damage, making it all the way to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals, that left an indelible mark on lovers of the artform. Barbadians fondly remember the slender Observer, along with his three back-up vocalists dressed in cat suits as he caused a huge uproar at the National Stadium. At the end of the night he was not named kaiso king much to the dismay of thousands.

In 2017, after a 12-year break from competition he again faced the judges at the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals with Patriot and Socio-Party. His self-penned Patriot was a song he dedicated to his country.

At the time Observer, who was also a tailor, said in an interview: “I love Barbados. I feel like running away from certain people sometimes, but you don’t always have to be negative. It’s the love in my heart for people and country that keeps me going. I was never a material person so crown or no crown I remain who I am. I prefer to buy food with my money and feed people. . .”

He added: “They say I am a sell-out. Because of the line that says ‘I will uphold my country’s laws’. I guess they don’t get it. That love of country must come first. There will always be things about it you don’t like. I told them you must understand the metaphor of life. It is country, then us. I do not like wrongdoing by police, preacher or whoever… Wrongdoings cripple a country.”

Observer has taken his last bow and round of applause. Rest in peace.

(IMC)