Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
The number of bands that have successfully earned a living in the music business for 50 years is small. It’s hard to not only keep enough money coming in to make the group profitable, but add infighting, members passing away, etc. and it’s clear the music business is one tough cookie where only the strong (and popular) survive.
All of which makes the success of longtime reggae greats Third World, celebrating their 50th anniversary together as a band, all the more remarkable.
They will perform at Mardi Gras AC Concerts on the Atlantic City Boardwalk 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City. It’s a free all-ages/family-friendly event. Funky Heather Hardy and the Lil’ Mama Band will open.
“Strictly a reggae band, no. Definitely a reggae band, yes,” says Third World singer Bunny Rugs, when asked to describe the Third World sound.
“The hybrid of various types of music is a natural thing because, by growing up in Jamaica, we know the direct roots of reggae and ska,” adds the longtime band’s guitarist, Cat Coore.
“At the same time, we live in a country where you get to hear Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and all the R&B artists,” adds bassist Richard Daley. “We took roots reggae music and put branches on top of it.”
Third World – known for iconic reggae-tinged hits such as “Now That We Found Love” and “96 Degrees In The Shade” – was formed in 1973 by guitarist/cellist Stephen “Cat” Coore, keyboardist Michael “Ibo” Cooper, drummer Carl Barovier and singer Milton “Prilly” Hamilton, all from the group Inner Circle, along with bassist Colin “Oliver” Leslie.
Tomorrow’s Children bass guitarist, (the aforementioned) Richard Daley soon replaced Colin Leslie (the latter who teamed up with Darren Green to manage and organize the group). After a few months, Barovier was replaced by Cornell Marshall.
Third World made its live debut that year (1973) at Jamaica’s Independence celebration. They played in and around Kingston’s club scene and hotel scene, making a name for themselves as one of the few fully self-contained bands around.
To date, Third World has received nine Grammy nominations. In 2012, they were awarded the Ambassador at American Caribbean Heritage Award in Washington, D.C. Third World are the Goodwill Ambassadors for the Issa Trust Foundation’s initiative in providing pediatric care, education and equipment to hospitals in rural Jamaica, as well as the “Oceans Ambassadors” for the Alligator Head Foundation and their Clean Ocean initiatives in Portland, Jamaica. And one heckuva reggae band, coming to town, don’t miss this show!
News ‘N’ Notes: Terrific concert put on by the Australian Pink Floyd Show last week at the beautiful Ovation Hall in Ocean Casino Resort. The band blazed through the famed UK group’s “Dark Side of the Moon” album, performing spot-on renditions of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Another Brick In The Wall,” “Us And Them,” “Time,” “Breathe,” “Money,” and more, with the capacity crowd singing along to each. The light show and outrageous inflatables made for quite the concert experience.
Speaking of Ocean Casino, they welcome iconic LA rapper Ice Cube to Ovation Hall this Friday, July 7. Cube (real name O’Shea Jackson Sr.) first gained fame as a founding member of SoCal gangster rap group NWA, going on to a successful solo recording and acting career as well…Happy Birthday on July 11 to Greg Mungan, who books Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City, one of the real good guys who’s always supported local talent here at the Jersey Shore.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity.
