Veteran selectors remember Gladdy’s generosity

Veteran sound system owner Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell of Stone Love fame has paid tribute to his friend, the late Gladstone 'Gladdy' Parker, from Wild Bunch Disco, as the person who taught him the virtue of sharing vinyl records when he had two of the same.

Gladdy, who had diabetes and was diagnosed with cancer in December 2020, died on Saturday at the Consie Walters Cancer Hospice in St Andrew, where he was admitted at the end of January. Last year, a fundraiser dubbed Rally for Gladdy was staged by Carivibez Internet radio in association with Stone Love and Merritone Disco.

"Gladdy is one of the best human beings, not just in the music. He was humble and he wanted to teach about the legacy of the music business. He did it for the love more than the reward. I remember, back in the day there was a particular song, Stand By Me by Keith Fountain that was playing a lot, but I didn't have a copy. Gladdy was the one who gave me that song, because he had a double copy. After that, anytime I have a double, I mek sure to give it away to another selector. Gladdy teach me that," Powell said.

The owner, operator and selector of Wild Bunch Disco and an avid record collector, Gladdy started the sound in 1963 with George Phillpotts and Charles Kennedy. Wild Bunch has enjoyed a reputation for consistent musical excellence in Jamaica and internationally.

"Gladdy was the second Merritone," Powell added. "Whenever Merritone couldn't make a date, it was Wild Bunch that people called on to fill that spot. Gladdy will be sadly missed by thousands of people around the world."

Veteran selector DJ Clive Buddo, also recalled Gladdy's kindness. "I know Gladdy from in the 70s. He was gentle, kind, always willing to help others. It was a pleasure to go Blinking Beacon on Mountain View Ave, Priscilla's, May Pen, St Ann, The Deck, Wickie Wackie, wherever he was playing music. You would ask Gladdy for the name of a song and his response would be 'Ahhh ..you know I have two records, come for one.' He was a wonder when it came on to music. We will all miss him," Buddo told THE STAR.