Reggae musician Donald ‘Tabby Diamond’ Shaw of the iconic Mighty Diamonds is among two people shot dead in a dive by gun attack on McKinley Crescent in Kingston.
Two men and one woman are being treated for gunshot wounds.
According to residents in the community, an unknown vehicle was seen driving in a suspicious manner in the area. It is understood that men alighted from the vehicle and opened fire on a group of people that was sitting in front of Shaw’s home.
It is reported that Shaw was struck several times including in the face, he was later taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The 67 year old was said to be the target, according to sources from Nationwide News Network, one of Shaw’s close relatives is reportedly involved in several shooting incidents in the community. Reports stated the man, who is a major violence producer in and around the community, is in police custody.
The Mighty Diamonds is a Jamaican harmony trio with a strong Rastafarian influence. The group was formed in 1969 and remained together until 2012. They are best known for their debut album Right Time.
Shaw was the group’s lead vocalist, with Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson and ‘Lloyd’ Judge Ferguson providing harmony vocals. The ‘Diamond’ was added to the names of the members of the group over the years.
The group is known for classic songs such as Pass the Kutchie and I Need a Roof.
Pass the Kutchie, written by Ferguson and Simpson became an international hit twice, when it was first released on their 1982 album Changes and again when it was covered by Musical Youth with altered lyrics to remove the drug reference and was released as Pass the Dutchie.
Tabby, Bunny and Judge have released over forty albums in their long career. Their smooth harmonies and choreographed stage show were inspired by Motown vocal groups of the 1960s, The Temptations, The Impressions as well as Jamaican rock steady artistes, John Holt and Ken Boothe.
The Mighty Diamonds has received several local and international honors.
The group was bestowed the Order of Distinction in the Officer Class in 2021 on Jamaica’s 59th anniversary of independence.
