Major Mackerel thankful for life - Veteran artiste upbeat despite losing part of leg to diabetes

Veteran dancehall artiste, Garfield Dixon, better known as Major Mackerel, is feeling blessed, despite losing a part of his right leg during emergency surgery recently.

He had to make an on-the-spot decision to either have the amputation, or "join [his] bredren Dennis, Bob and Peter on the other side".

Clearly in good spirits when THE STAR spoke to him, Major Mackerel, known for the song Pretty Looks Dun, said he wasn't as cute as he used to be, but opined that life was the greatest gift of all.

"I am a diabetic for over 30 years and that cause me to amputate my leg. Bob Marley was supposed to cut off a toe and he didn't. He passed at 36, and I am still here at 52. Me not ready to look over there yet. I lose a lot of weight, and me dun neva have much from before, but I am out of hospital and regaining my strength," he said.

Vision was extremely blurry

The entertainer explained that he went to his doctor two Wednesdays ago because his vision was extremely blurry and the tests showed that his body was being poisoned.

"Dr Dean Wright said to me, 'DJ, is either yuh do the operation or yuh go home and play three'. The doctor set things up and by the following day, I was admitted to Nutall Hospital and did the surgery. Well, when ah wake up and look down and don't see the foot, it feel weird, because it feel like it still there, but at least I can look down," he said, adding that the cut is right below the knee. Major Mackerel was generous in his praise of his medical team and insisted that he was feeling great.

"I am grateful for Dr Wright, may the engine of his generosity never get rusty. Life can't buy money and money can't buy life. Financially, I am on my own, but my friends make it easy. A big shout out to Freddie McGregor, Spragga Benz, Konshens, Shaggy, Stitchie, Macka Diamond, who is the original Lady Mackerel, Merciless, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and the Soundwave Crew. Thanks to everybody for their get well wishes. I appreciate all of them, and most of all thanks to God," he told THE STAR.

The father of six, five sons and an adopted daughter, all of whom are overseas, is encouraging persons with diabetes to take care of themselves, especially those like him, who are insulin-dependent. His message is "eat healthy, stay away from the sweet stuff and take your medication".

Major Mackerel, famous for his signature screeching sounds, achieved prominence as a dancehall reggae artiste in the late 1980s and early 90s with songs such as Don Man and Dutty Bungle.