Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
THOMAS
TRAGEDY STRUCK on the weekend when one of the ten finalists in this year's Jamaica Cultural Development Popular Song Competition (JCDC), Ruddy Thomas, collapsed and died while performing on stage at the Popular Song Street Blocker in Port Antonio, Portland.
It was later discovered that Thomas had died of a heart attack.
Ruddy Thomas, born July 12, 1951, was one of Jamaica's premiere entertainers working as a singer, songwriter, producer and studio engineer. He penned and recorded local and international hits including Loving Pauper, Let's Make A Baby and People Make The World Go Round.
PREVIOUS RECORDINGS
Thomas also recorded duets with J.C. Lodge, (Time For Love) Marcia Akins (The Closer I get To you), Pam Hall (You Can't Hide) and the late Cynthia Schloss (Don't Want To Lose You, How Can I Let You Get away, There Is A Fire) and an album with Susan Cadogan Ruddy Thomas And Susan Cadogan.
It was an untimely end for the musical pioneer who gave Hawkeye label its first number one hit in 1981 with Just One Moment Away, a song which topped the British charts.
Nordia McKenzie, in charge of public relations for JCDC says of the incident: "He was performing on stage and he collapsed and we later found out that he had a heart condition. He was rushed to the hospital and we're not sure if it was on the way."
Thomas' entry in to the popular song contest is done in collaboration with Norman 'Azee' Owen called You Are Love, which Azee is expected to perform solo at the remainder of the road shows.
