Caribbean National Weekly

Jimmy Cliff could have a statue erected in his honor

By Natalie Greaves··1 min read
Jimmy Cliff could have a statue erected in his honor
Key Points(5)
  • It would be fitting and most appropriate.
  • …..I would like to see a statue of Jimmy Cliff in Montego Bay, in the heart of the city.
  • “ It is a good thing to have a statue erected of me.
  • It is something that encourages our people to love ourselves, thus making us stronger in unity.
  • I appreciate them doing this,” Cliff said.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Cliff, a two-time Grammy winner, was born in Somerton, St James, not too far from Montego Bay, the main city in St.

Last month during a function renaming Gloucester Avenue, the Hip Strip, In Montego Bay as Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, Jamaica’s  Entertainment and Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange said she supports mounting a statue in Cliff's honor.

Grange told the audience attending the street renaming event at the Old Hospital Park in Montego Bay, “We must have monuments, so that future generations can recognize and look at those… as inspirations. It would be fitting and most appropriate. …..I would like to see a statue of Jimmy Cliff in Montego Bay, in the heart of the city. We have commissioned and mounted statues of our athletes… we started, in treating with our culture, a statue of Louise 'Miss Lou' Bennett-Coverley… so there will be many more statues.”

In a subsequent interview with the Jamaica Observer Cliff, 71,  welcomed the idea of a statue in his honor. “ It is a good thing to have a statue erected of me. It is something that encourages our people to love ourselves, thus making us stronger in unity. I appreciate them doing this,” Cliff said.

Cliff, a two-time Grammy winner, was born in Somerton, St James, not too far from Montego Bay, the main city in St. James.

Should the statue be constructed, Cliff would join Bob Marley and Louise “Miss Lou” Bennet to have statues in their honor. Marley’s statue is in proximity to Jamaica’s National Stadium in Kingston, and “Miss Lou’s” located in Gordon Town Square, St Andrew. Bennett was a residence of Gordon Town while living in Jamaica.

Related Stories

Come Alive returns on Emancipation Day with all-star local gospel acts

Come Alive returns on Emancipation Day with all-star local gospel acts

Jamaica meets Ghana on ‘RARRI’ new project by Juls, Projexx and Valiant

Jamaica meets Ghana on ‘RARRI’ new project by Juls, Projexx and Valiant

Vybz Kartel announces new album God & Time set for June release

Vybz Kartel announces new album God & Time set for June release

Jamaica pushes for bigger role in global film industry at LAB Studios showcase

Jamaica pushes for bigger role in global film industry at LAB Studios showcase