Bahamas News
12-16-04, - 10:22 PM
Music Legend Dies at 59
By Clunis Devaney
ZNS Staff Writer
http://www.bahamasissues.com/images/news/smokey.jpg
He was a pioneer of modern Bahamian music, churning out numerous classic re-makes in his own unique style.
He produced more than 200 recordings, which to date reportedly sold more than one million copies.
The man with the golden voice is best known for such hits as “Laura”, “Help me make it through the night” and “Take the ribbon from your hair”.
After years of illness stemming from a brain tumor discovered 20 years ago, Leroy Cleveland McKenzie, affectionately called “Smokey 007” died at his daughter’s home in Jubilee Gardens, western New Providence, today. He was 59.
Julian Reid of ZNS News talked with the family of the late entertainer and took a look at the man referred to as “Soul Brother Number One”, and the impact “Smokey” had on the Bahamian music industry.
“Smokey” was born in McCullough Corner, Nassau on August 16, 2004. A good friend of his mother, enamoured with his smooth ebony skin tone called him “Smokey” and it stuck. When he was 16, he would regularly be seen diving off the Bahama Star for coins. It was there that he got the opportunity to sing on board that ship propelling his musical career. A James Bond film was popular at the time, hence the nickname “007”.
“Smokey” lived in a nursing home for a number of years during his illness, but last year he moved to the home of his daughter, Tabitha. It was there that Smokey spent his last days.
Tabitha said she believed her father died between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday. She said he was still awake around 11:30 last night but when she woke up around six this morning to fix him breakfast, she realized he was dead.
Now although fans believed they knew “Smokey” through his music, Tabitha said her father deserved more recognition.
His son Ron called it a pleasure to be “Smokey's” son, and he had fond memories of his father and the impact his father had on other Bahamian entertainers.
But the entertainer’s sister, Dorothy became emotional when she reminisced about the brother she said had qualities that drew him to others.
“Smokey” had two major surgeries and suffered several seizures over the years. About three weeks ago, he was hospitalized for one week.
By Clunis Devaney
ZNS Staff Writer
http://www.bahamasissues.com/images/news/smokey.jpg
He was a pioneer of modern Bahamian music, churning out numerous classic re-makes in his own unique style.
He produced more than 200 recordings, which to date reportedly sold more than one million copies.
The man with the golden voice is best known for such hits as “Laura”, “Help me make it through the night” and “Take the ribbon from your hair”.
After years of illness stemming from a brain tumor discovered 20 years ago, Leroy Cleveland McKenzie, affectionately called “Smokey 007” died at his daughter’s home in Jubilee Gardens, western New Providence, today. He was 59.
Julian Reid of ZNS News talked with the family of the late entertainer and took a look at the man referred to as “Soul Brother Number One”, and the impact “Smokey” had on the Bahamian music industry.
“Smokey” was born in McCullough Corner, Nassau on August 16, 2004. A good friend of his mother, enamoured with his smooth ebony skin tone called him “Smokey” and it stuck. When he was 16, he would regularly be seen diving off the Bahama Star for coins. It was there that he got the opportunity to sing on board that ship propelling his musical career. A James Bond film was popular at the time, hence the nickname “007”.
“Smokey” lived in a nursing home for a number of years during his illness, but last year he moved to the home of his daughter, Tabitha. It was there that Smokey spent his last days.
Tabitha said she believed her father died between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday. She said he was still awake around 11:30 last night but when she woke up around six this morning to fix him breakfast, she realized he was dead.
Now although fans believed they knew “Smokey” through his music, Tabitha said her father deserved more recognition.
His son Ron called it a pleasure to be “Smokey's” son, and he had fond memories of his father and the impact his father had on other Bahamian entertainers.
But the entertainer’s sister, Dorothy became emotional when she reminisced about the brother she said had qualities that drew him to others.
“Smokey” had two major surgeries and suffered several seizures over the years. About three weeks ago, he was hospitalized for one week.