Reggae singer Tinga Stewart, whose illness has left doctors baffled, is devastated following the sudden death of his wife, Andrea, at the University Hospital of the West Indies early last Thursday morning. Tributes are pouring in for the 41-year-old harmony singer, who is being hailed for embracing the role of caregiver following Tinga’s sudden, debilitating illness in 2019.
“Andrea did everything for Tinga, and when I say everything, I mean every earthly thing,” a burdened-sounding Frankie Campbell told The Gleaner.”Mi nah tell nuh lie, this one here is a shocker. Andrea was only 41… she’s young. She had some breathing problems the week before and was checking out some doctors. Then she went to the hospital and was admitted, and that was it. She reportedly died from complications stemming from a blood clot in her lungs. I didn’t expect this.”
Campbell, who is the chairman of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artists and Affiliates (JAVAA), shared that the couple met at a JAVAA meeting in Half Way Tree some years ago and their relationship blossomed into marriage.
“They were together for 10 years. Andrea was a wonderful person. She tried everything when Tinga got sick very suddenly in 2019. They were in New York and had celebrated their wedding anniversary, and everything was fine. The very next morning life changed completely for Tinga. He had difficulty doing anything for himself. They went to every doctor in New York and New Jersey, and they said there was nothing physically wrong with him that modern science could detect. They spent another couple of months and came home during the pandemic; and again, the family in Jamaica tried everything,” Campbell stated.
He recalled how Andrea hosted a drive-thru party for Tinga on his birthday last year.
“The musicians and singers showed up for him. Tinga sat down on a chair and people would go up to him and wish him happy birthday and sing a little song. But Tinga didn’t really do much talking; we spoke over him,” the ace bass player shared.
He added, “I went around the house on Thursday and he just looked at me and said, ‘Frankie, yuh know how mi feel.’ That was it,” the Fab 5 leader said.
Artiste manger Bridget Anderson, who met Andrea years ago, described her as “a beautiful, caring soul”.
“Andrea used to be Tinga’s harmony singer. She was always well dressed … well put together, and she complemented her husband in so many ways. Andrea was also a caring mother to her son and also to Tinga, especially when he took sick. She will definitely be missed,” Anderson told The Gleaner.
Producer and singer Winston ‘Niney’ Holness, who is close to the family, spoke of Andrea’s sincerity.
THROUGH AND THIN
“Andrea was a very lovely woman. She was a sincere woman to her husband and stood up beside him through thick and thin,” Niney said, as he recalled Andrea’s tender care for Tinga when they both attended his birthday party last December.
“She sat beside Tinga all night, made sure that he ate and was attentive throughout. I don’t know how her husband will manage without her, but God will be by his side,” Niney added.
A two-time Festival Song contest winner, Tinga Stewart first won the event in 1974 with Play de Music, and again in 1981 with Nuh Wey Nuh Betta Dan Yard. He wrote Hooray Festival with Willie Lindo for his brother Roman, which won the 1975 contest.
According to his bio on Wikipedia, Tinga’s festival success hampered his early career, because he was regarded as a ‘Festival singer.’
“I almost lost my career to Festival. People were characterising me as a Festival Song singer once. I couldn’t get any shows because of my involvement. It took me 15 albums to fully win back my fan base,” Tinga was quoted in a 2012 interview.
He participated in the Reggae Sunsplash world tour in 1989, touring Japan, and continued to record in the 1990s and 2000s, having now released over 200 singles. Among his hit songs are Cover Me, Take Time to Know with Ninjaman, Funny Feeling, Rainy Night in Georgia, and Inside my Heart.