‘RIGHT TIME’: Mighty Diamonds Celebrates 50 Years in Music

One of Jamaica’s legendary harmony trios, The Mighty Diamonds, will be honored for their immeasurable contribution to reggae music and longevity in the business at the Tribute to the Greats event in Jamaica July 27, which will also pay homage to The Wailers.

“Mighty Diamonds” Formed in 1969, the trio including Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson, Donald “Tabby” Shaw and Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson went on to create hit songs and nearly 50 albums.

It was in Dec. 1969 when the young men, who went to the same school and lived in the same community in Trench Town, Kingston, decided to form the group after jamming together one night. Ferguson remembers clearly.

“Everything clicked on that fateful night in December 1969,” he told Caribbean Today. “I was on the road talking to a girl in Trench Town where we all lived. Bunny passed by as he was going down 10th Street with his guitar in hand. At the same time, Tabby was coming up 10th Street. When they met they had a conversation and then turned inside a yard. So, I immediately excused myself and went to the house to join Bunny and Tabby.

“As I approached them, Bunny stretched out the guitar to me and said ‘hold a rhythm’. I started to play and we sang the tune ’25 to 30 Years of Love’ (Ferguson demonstrates in song) and it sounded so melodious. So, we decided to start the group, right then and there.”

CHANNEL ONE

The group wasn’t an overnight success, Ferguson declared. He said it took five years to create a hit tune. Diamonds’ early recordings were produced by noted Jamaican singer/producers, including Derrick Harriott, Lee ‘“Scratch” Perry, Pat Francis, Stranger Cole.

It wasn’t until they met and worked with producer Joseph Hoo Kim, through his Channel One studios in the mid-1970s, that things took off. It was under Hoo Kim’s tutelage that the album “Right Time”, considered The Mighty Diamonds best classic roots reggae album, was recorded, then released by Virgin Records after the group was signed by the United Kingdom-based record company. Their best known songs from the album are “I Need a Roof”, “Have Mercy”, “Shame and Pride” and “Africa”.

The Diamonds’ smooth harmonies and meaningful lyrics captured the hearts of the populous at the time, who were listening to American R&B groups and popular rocksteady singers of the era. Some of those groups inspired and encouraged The Mighty Diamonds, Ferguson recalled.

“I don’t know if that’s what make The Mighty Diamonds so good, but, we listened to every genre of music, R&B, reggae, calypso, soca, everything,” he explained.

“Also, what really inspired us is the Wailers. We took the three-man group idea from them. They were our local inspiration to really get the group together.

“We used to rehearse all over Trench Town, including where Toots, of Toots and the Maytals, lived. Toots always encouraged us, saying that we sounded good. Actually, he was the first one we went on tour with when we started creating tunes.”

ORIGINAL

Ferguson credited his songwriting skills to life experiences, noting that The Mighty Diamonds always strives to be original. He has written the majority of the group’s tunes and believes they will survive, even when up against today’s dancehall and digital music.

“We don’t look at it as a competition,” said Ferguson. “We know there is a place for our music. We just hang in there and keep it going.”“Mighty Diamonds”

He said it is heartwarming to see the mix of young and old in the audiences of The Mighty Diamonds. He recounted a story of a 17-year-old fan at one of his European concerts saying “I love your music”.

“It was always about the three of us creating together,” said Ferguson.

However, the group has changed slightly. In 2015, Simpson suffered a stroke and has not been able to sing or tour with the group since. So, Ferguson and Shaw had to consider a new member. It wasn’t difficult. Joseph “Capo”Williamson, popular on the South Florida music scene with his own group Benaiah, was the obvious choice to the original members.

“Joseph did two tours with the Diamonds before I asked him to join us,” explained Ferguson. “He is a complete musician and singer. He also has his own band, Benaiah, in which he is lead singer. I know he was very competent; he fits in perfectly.

“You know, up to this day we have never rehearsed the songs with Joseph since he joined the group almost four years ago. He listens to the songs, learns them and fits right in.”

Although Benaiah is not as active now, Williamson has been in the studio recording his own music. But, he feels a strong connection to The Mighty Diamonds through the music.

“Good music never dies,” he said. “It’s about working with good musicians and creating great songs.”

Williamson, a talented singer/songwriter, has also virtually taken over the group’s management. He secures visas for their international tours, books the tour dates and makes sure The Mighty Diamonds’ business affairs are in order. As the new Diamond, Williamson will also be celebrated as the group is honored this month.

“It’s a great expansion for my career to be sitting with the greats like Bunny Wailer, The Mighty Diamonds and sharing in this type of tribute,” he said. “I am honored to be in their company and the celebration.”