Tributes continue to pour in for late reggae singer and songwriter Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson, who made his transition last Friday. Among the organisations that have saluted the reggae legend is the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB). In a statement, board chairman Howard McIntosh hailed Bob Andy’s songwriting mastery and noted that the EAB “laments the passing of a stalwart Jamaican, whose contribution to the musical landscape we call reggae is unquestionable”.

The statement continued, “Keith Anderson, known more popularly by his stage name Bob Andy, is undoubtedly one of Jamaica’s most prolific songwriters, whose lyrics and melodies have brought pride, joy, hope, and inspiration to hundreds of thousands.

Composer par excellence

As a composer, his use of metaphor and imagery stands tall among writers of any genre, and as a performer, his giant contribution is only matched by the gentleness of spirit he consistently displayed.”

The statement skilfully incorporated the titles of some of Bob Andy’s iconic songs, including Unchained, Life Could be a Symphony, Young, Gifted and Black, Fire Burning, Too Experienced, and I’ve Got To Go Back Home.

“It is clear that despite our sorrow to see him go, this gift to reggae music was ready to be unchained and wanted to go back home. From the days when he could be described as young, gifted and black, his lyrics and melodies kept the reggae fire burning as he remained a formidable force in our industry, being too experienced to be forgotten or ignored,” it read.

The EAB and the wider family of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the release said, “join his immediate family, on behalf of the entertainment fraternity, in celebrating Bob Andy, whose life could be [nothing but] a symphony. He is resting in peace”.

On Friday, Bob Andy’s family released the following statement: “Keith A. Anderson, CD, aka Bob Andy, a foundation of Jamaica’s great tradition of artistes and songwriters and one of the most venerated in reggae history, died peacefully in his sleep at approximately 8 o’clock this morning after a short illness. He was 76 years old.

Further details will be announced. The Kingston-born Andy left three children, Godfrey ‘Bobby’ Anderson, Bianka Anderson, and Shamori Brown.”