Jimmy Cliff crosses last river

WESTERN BUREAU:

The dark clouds that hung over Somerton on Monday and the rains that soaked the quiet St James community felt like nature itself mourning the passing of its beloved son – reggae icon James ‘Jimmy Cliff’ Chambers.

Somerton has produced national figures such as former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, former House Speaker Violet Neilson, and playwright Lenny Little-White. Yet for Jimmy Cliff’s childhood friend, known simply as ‘Skillman’, none stands taller in the hearts of the people than the internationally acclaimed singer.

“Me and Jimmy were best friends from childhood. We grew together, go to school together, go a bird bush together, and go to mango bush together. On the weekends, we would go to show (movies) out a di crossroad,” recalled Skillman, who, at age 84, is three years Jimmy Cliff’s senior.

“He was a church boy. Him use to sing in di church and also in school. He was a very good student, a bright boy.”

As youngsters, Skillman recalled that they were part of a group that gathered on a step in the community square, singing to the sound of a piano in a nearby home.

According to Skillman, even after Jimmy Cliff left Somerton and became a global music and movie star, their friendship remained unbroken. He recalled that the reggae icon – known for hits such as Many Rivers to Cross, I Can See Clearly Now, The Rebel in Me, The Harder They Come and You Can Get It If You Really Want – bought him his last pair of prescription glasses – costing over $60,000 – and helped his children with back-to-school needs.

“He was the kind of friend that everyone would love to have. He was the best,” said Skillman, who gave up his own passion for singing to become the owner of a top-flight sound system. “He never ever came to Somerton and don’t check me. When mi mother dead, him come to de funeral; when my sister dead, him come a de funeral. We were always very close over the years.”

With telecommunications crippled by Hurricane Melissa, Skillman only learned of Cliff’s passing two hours before the Gleaner team showed up at his gate.

“When I hear the news, it shook me up. All now me nuh come back to myself fully,” he said, noting that Jimmy Cliff always introduced him to others as his childhood best friend.

“The last time him come to my house, it was sometime last year, I was not there – I was in Montego Bay – and he stayed here and watched the men playing dominoes across the road until I returned,” he added.

Skillman’s spouse, Yvonne ‘Pam’ McKenzie, said that no matter where in the world Jimmy Cliff was, he would always answer whenever they called.

After Hurricane Melissa, she sent him a text message to check on him.

“He did not respond to the text message, which was unlike him, so I became a bit concerned,” said McKenzie.

“Words cannot express the type of person he was. He was such a great guy. He is a legend. Di whole Somerton love him. He has done a lot for Somerton. He has helped out at the school, supported sports, helped the youngsters with chicken rearing and even fixed the road; he really did good for Somerton.”

A teacher at Somerton All-Age, who asked not to be named, said the icon’s death, coming right after Hurricane Melissa devastated the community, was a double blow to the community.

“He has done a lot for the community, for the children and the elderly, especially,” she said. “He helped to fix the roads, made tangible donations to community events, bought books and school supplies. He has done a lot, and Somerton will really miss him,” she said. “His death right after the passing of the hurricane is a double whammy, because he would be one of the persons we would be looking towards to help us to rebuild the school.”

Neighbour Tanya Langott, wiping tears as she spoke, remembered Jimmy Cliff as a quiet, reserved presence who loved simple moments with his children.

“When he is here, you hardly know, unless you hear like they are practising (playing music) and all of that, but he was a very private person,” she said. “He was a very good neighbour ... . We respected him a lot, he has done so much for the community,” she said.

With Jimmy Cliff’s status as a national icon, Skillman believes the Government may want to bury him in Kingston. Still, he hopes for a link back to Somerton.

“We would want him to come home to Somerton to rest alongside his late father, but it is not our call. If he is buried at Heroes Park, I hope an appropriate monument will be built in Somerton in his honour,” he said.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com