Popular reggae singer Roman Stewart dies

by Donovan Gopie

Sunday, February 8, 2004

NEW YORK, USA: Oh so sadly and untimely we mourn the passing of popular Jamaican reggae singer and long-time New York resident Roman Stewart, popularly know as "Mr. Special." Roman Stewart was born on the tropical isle of Jamaica on May 11, 1957 and sadly departed life on Sunday, January 25th 2004, at the youthful age of forty-six, after attending a concert of his friend of many years, Grammy-nominee, reggae singer Freddie McGregor at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. 

Roman performed later that night at a party in Brooklyn, and complained of not feeling well after his performance. He succumbed to heart failure the next day at Long Island Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park, Long Island. 

Roman Stewart was a dapper, jocular, and talented singer. He was a most energetic performer who thrilled his audiences with his joyful and uniquely animated reggae singing style he crafted and honed. It was adapted and often imitated by numerous reggae artistes, most notably by his friend of many years, international reggae icon, late great Dennis Emanuel Brown, who was acknowledged as the "Crown Prince of Reggae."

Roman migrated from Jamaica in the late seventies, and enjoyed living in New York. In the 1975 Jamaica's Independence Festival song competition, he performed the winner "Hooray Festival," written by his older brother Tinga. They often performed duets on many concert dates, and recording two albums "Break Down the Barriers" and Brother to Brother," receiving critical reviews.

Roman had a special affection for "hanging-out" in Brooklyn at popular recording studios including Don One Studio and Ed Robinson Studio, although he was a resident of the borough of Queens. He would often record songs with the hope of making a "hits" in the fickle reggae music industry, doing "Special" for radio stations and voice-over for DJ's and other recording artistes. 

Roman was a ubiquitous fixture at the many record retail distributors that dots the borough such as Super Power Records, Park Heights Records and Jah Life record stores. The City's many Off Track Betting salons, knew him as an enthusiastic and fervent gambler of horse racing.

He often performed with other famed reggae artistes including the late Dennis Brown, his friend of many years, Brown on his many concerts tours to New York City always stayed at his home, Buju Banton, Maxi Priest and Grammy-award winner Shaggy, as well as performing solo and at charitable events, often performing for gratis. Saying to me in conversation he was doing it for the "de poor people dem." 

Roman Stewart was a delight to watch, whether in a concert venue or, singing impromptu at local house parties in a commanding acappella style. He invariably left his audience energized by his impressive delivery. He was a cyclone of dreadlocks swirling about his sweat-drenched face as he swung his trademark towel giving emphasis to his musical lyrics. 

His recording has included hit songs such as "Changing Times" and his first recorded song in 1967, recorded in his native Jamaica, "Walking Down the Street." In 1975 he wrote and recorded the hit single, "Hit Song" later recorded by reggae star, Sanchez. "Hit Song" today still receives constant airplay on radio stations. Roman Stewart was about to release his new CD, titled "Diplomat" in the Spring of '2004, produced by his brother Tinga. His single released in 2002 "Theare" is currently on the local reggae charts.

His friend singer, Freddie McGregor on learning of his passing, leaving on his concert tour to Europe said he was most shocked and saddens at the news, saying. "My friend of many years and fellow entertainer is no longer with us. I can't believe it." McGregor added, with tear filled eyes, "He was with me at my show only the night before, I had no knowledge he was ill. We all in the business will miss him a lot."

He leaves two sisters to mourn his passing, Colleen and Cheryl, brother Tinga and ten children, Rickey,Nadine, Marlon Roman Jr., Stephen, Alyssa, Justin, Courtney, Doniel and nine -month old Shian and their mothers.

Roman will be sorely missed by his umpteen reggae fans, whole-heap-a-friend dem, his nuff artistes bredrens and especially his loving family, if you will pardon my Jamaican vernacular. He leaves us a glowing memory in our heart of a person of fun and of his infectious musical style as one who always wanted to entertain and please us all. He was good Jamaican bredren. Truly, a beacon has been sadly extinguished...too soon. We will treasure and miss his warm spirit, his good humor and his reggae music.  

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version