On Sunday, July 28th, the 14th edition of the Simmer Down Festival was staged at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Known as one of the UK’s largest music and arts festivals, the event is all about celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the city of Birmingham.

This year, Miss Beverley Kelso, the only surviving member of the original Wailers, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. She was a backing vocalist who sang on approximately 25 tracks with the group between 1963 and 1965. The deaths of Junior Braithwaite in 1999, Cherry Smith in 2008, and Bunny Wailer in 2021 have left Beverley Kelso as the only living person from that ensemble.

In addition to honoring Beverley Kelso, Simmer Down also featured Grammy artist Julian Marley, who performed with The Uprising Band, Queens of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay, and Carroll Thompson, as well as Peter Hunnigale, Peter Spence, Keisha White, Macka B, Mad Professor, and many more.

Unfortunately, as Beverley Kelso was unable to attend, Kelvin Grant, of the 70s British reggae band Musical Youth, received the award on her behalf. That said, click here to see her response to getting the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Yes I Computers will be hosting Perfect Giddimani at an event dubbed Island Reggae Party, on Saturday, August 10th. This is an informal social gathering that will be held at 3668 McCasland Avenue in Cahokia Heights (East St. Louis), Illinois.

In addition to Giddimani, local artists Diallo St. Clair, Rikkathon Produkshuns, and Non-Stop Reggae will also do sets. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m., parking is free, and attendees are being encouraged to bring their lawn chairs. Entrance fee is US$25.00.

The megahit song Simmer Down, which is widely associated with reggae legend Bob Marley, was actually done by The Wailers, The Skatalites, and producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in 1963. Shortly after it was released, it began to get heavy rotation, and by February 1964, it had become the number one song in Jamaica.
 
At the time, The Wailers was made up of Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Junior Braithwaite, Cherry Smith, and Beverley Kelso. Sadly, all the forenamed have passed away, with the exception of Beverley Kelso, who is still actively recording and releasing music.
 
As the only surviving member from the original Wailers, Kelso recently joined forces with fellow vocalist Richie Stephens, and producer Claude Sinclair (more popularly known as Big Stone) to remake the aforementioned hit, Simmer Down. This new version was published in mid May of this year, and its official video followed approximately two months later, in early July.

Beverley Kelso and Richie Stephens‘ Simmer Down can be downloaded from Amazon Music, iTunes, and all other digital music stores. It is on the Big Stone Records label.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “SIMMER DOWN”

Tickets are now on sale for the 9th edition of the Nomade Reggae Festival. This event is being presented by the Mélodies du Monde association, whose goal is to promote cultural diversity and encourage cultural exchanges while supporting humanitarian projects. It also boosts tourism in the Rhône-Alpes region and its municipalities.

The 2024 staging will take place on August 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Chemin du Mansin in Anglefort, France. It will have performances by several international artists and sound systems, with various exhibitors and vendors on hand. Among the performers are established Jamaican acts Julian Marley, Jah Mason, and U Brown. Click here to buy tickets.