Derrick Morgan, Sanchez Pleased With Diamond Jubilee Icon Awards
The undisputed King of Ska Derrick Morgan and Reggae/Dancehall singer Sanchez were both recognized as Icons for their contribution to Jamaican music, at the Grand Gala last evening at the national stadium in Kingston.
Morgan, who started singing in church as a youngster before getting involved in secular music, was the first of the two to be presented with his award by Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.
Morgan, in his citation, was hailed as being the only artist ever to fill the places of number one to seven on the Jamaican Pop Chart simultaneously, back in 1960. Among those hit songs were Don’t Call Me Daddy, In My Heart, Be Still, and Meekly Wait and Murmur Not.
In 1962 he released Forward March a celebration of Jamaica’s evolution to statehood. He later wrote several songs for other artists, which have won the National Festival Song Competition, including Jamaica Whoa for Neville Martin in 1988, Fi Wi Island A Boom in 2000 for Stanley Beckford and Progress for Devon Black in 2002.
In 2001, he also received the Order of Distinction (Officer Class), but Morgan said that the Icon Award was the award of his dreams.
“It is the greatest thing that has happened to me at the age of 82 year old. I have been waiting for this a long time, you know. And now it come. Number one champion,” the Mocho, Clarendon native said, as the beat for his song Independent, began playing.
From his wheelchair, Morgan, who is the father of Reggae/Dancehall singer Queen Ifrica, ended his set with his hit song Conquerer.
Sanchez, whose given name is Kevin Jackson, also received his award from Holness, who told the artist that he was one of his favorite singers.
His citation described him as one of the artists who is regarded as one of the most accomplished singers, continuing a long tradition of Jamaican artists of the ilk of John Holt, Alton Ellis, Dennis Brown and Beresford Hammond, with an extensive repertoire spanning the genres of Reggae, Dancehall, Lovers Rock and Gospel.
In accepting the honor, Sanchez who came with a prepared speech, said that he was pleased to do so on behalf of his family, fans and friends and “God Almighty”.
He also thanked his wife for “staying with me until this day”, before walking across the field to perform some of his original songs, and before ending with a rendition of his cover version of American Gospel singer Jen Johnson’s international Gospel hit, Goodness of God.
A few months ago, Sanchez had complained that Jamaica had not given him the recognition and respect he deserves after 30 years of success and the work that he has done in Reggae music.
“Despite the lack of recognition for my work in my homeland I will continue to represent Jamaica wherever I go. God has blessed me with the talent to sing and I will keep on singing for my fans at home and abroad,” the Portmore native had said back then.
Known as the “man with the golden voice”, the St. Andrew Technical High School old boy started out singing in church as a boy. One of his earliest hits was the cover of the gospel song Amazing Grace.
His first big hit came in 1988 when he recorded Lonely Won’t leave me alone which was produced by the late producer Winston Riley on the Techniques label.
Since getting his big break with his debut album Sweetest Girl in 1988, Sanchez has released more over 30 albums, four of which entered the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.
His standout albums include Simply Being Me (2000), Stays On My Mind (2002), Now & Forever (2009), and Love You More (2011), while his singles include I Can’t Wait, Never Dis Di Man, One In A Million, Fall In Love, Baby Can I Hold You Tonight, Loneliness, and Sometimes.