CaribWorldNews, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Mon. Oct. 27, 2008: Bandleader extraordinaire, Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee, has been conferred with the National Honor of Order of Jamaica for his contribution to the island`s music industry as he battles with cancer.
The pioneer musician was presented with the order by Governor General, Professor Sir Kenneth Hall at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies where Lee is currently a patient.
Addressing the ceremony, Bruce Golding Prime Minister of Jamaica, said the O.J. was most richly deserved by Lee, leader of the world-famous band, Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires.
`Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires was an institution that made such an impact on the lives of so many people that Byron’s contribution must be boldly recorded when the history of Jamaican music is being written,` Golding said.
In playing his part to popularize Jamaican music, the prime minister said Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires had taken the music to `our living rooms and then to the rest of the world.` He said that even where people did not understand what was being played they were still drawn to the music.
Noting that the band only last year celebrated its 50th anniversary, Golding said Byron Lee and the Dragaonnaires had entertained, inspired and mesmerized three generations of Jamaicans. He said that in the process, the band had brought Carnival to Jamaica, ` expanding and enriching our music and our culture.`
The prime minister said Jamaica was proud `to pay tribute to Mr. Lee for all that he has done for our music and for his powerful fight against cancer.`
Lee, 73, was diagnosed with stage three cancer in November 2006.
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