Multi-talented Lorna Bennett

Lorna Bennett

As one of the top female singers of the 70s, Lorna told Flair that this time around, she is looking forward to it. Her hits include "Going to the Chapel" and "Breakfast in Bed", but away from the limelight, she had had a busy and impressive life.

Her private law practice is in Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, but Lorna told Flair that she worked at the Administrator-General's office in Kingston and then in Black River before putting down roots in Santa Cruz.

"I'm originally from Newton, close to Lacovia, so I'm home," she said. Private practice gives her more freedom and independence and she took the advice of her older brother who told her to strive for a profession where she wouldn't have to be pushed around.

There are no regrets in her chosen career but she resents the stereotyping of lawyers. "I cannot present a case if I don't believe in the client, I have to feel it to defend it and if I can't handle it, I won't take it on," she said, stressing that money alone was not enough.

"I find the emerging unsavoury side of lawyers unfortunate but I was born in St. Elizabeth, I practice there so I have a reputation to uphold and I take the job seriously. Originally, lawyers were seen as untouchables but now, we're seen as humans and the law can deal with us too," she said.

The mother of an 18-year-old son, Oje, and 14-year-old daughter, Leann, said her son, a graduate of Munro College is also interested in music. He raps, writes and co-owns a sound system with his friends. Her daughter goes to Hampton High.

Away from the limelight, Lorna sang at weddings, funerals and charity shows. She operates the gym, "Firm Bodies" and her regular exercise programme has helped her to hold her notes longer, and perform better. "I feel stronger and my co-ordination is better," she said.

Now divorced, Lorna told Flair that her interest in videography began with helping her ex-husband to tape his football training sessions so he could use them later. This mushroomed and she became the family videographer.

Photography was a natural progression and she is also competent with the digital camera. "I like multi-media and hope to enter some of my work in the upcoming JCDC Festival of the Arts competition." Lorna is also writing songs for her new CD.

Her decision to return to the stage was influenced by Errol Wonder following his Christmas reunion show; she told Flair of being sceptical at first. "I had no new material but I was well received and I felt confident. My performance on the upcoming show will be limited to my popular hits but I'm now doing a wider range of songs," she said.

In future, Lorna has her sights set on achieving international success. Of the current offerings in the industry, she expressed a dislike for the lewdness and violence in the lyrics but admits that the music and rhythm are good. "But there is an emerging trend back to good music," she said.

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