The major news outlets around the world and many other smaller fan sites have been posting about the death of Lloyd Brevett in the wake of his passing along with their favorite stories.
In the Observer’s post titled End of an Era (dated Friday May 4th) Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson noted “While the magical horn section of the Skatalites drew most of the interest and crowds — and Lloyd Knibb, with his innovative drumming was a magnet — it was Lloyd Brevett who quietly provided the mesmerizing backbone to the Skatalites sound,” and “Brevett… was always self-effacing, but confident and assured. His fingers danced on the double bass at a furious tempo as he locked in with Knibb to create the hypnotic beat that would become ska.”
Music historian and head of the Jamaica Music Museum, Herbie Miller said “It is his work on bass that has taken that instrument to prominence not only in Jamaican music, but also various other music forms including hip hop and dance music. Brevett popularized how we hear and understand that instrument in music today. He is the true father of the Jamaican bass,”
Sites as varied as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Spinner, Punk News all posted news bits about the passing.
Jeff Richey, who played Saxophone and toured with US Ska grandfathers The Toasters for a decade, remembers a specific meeting he had with Lloyd: “A few years back when I was in The Toasters we played a gig in Montreaux supporting The Skatalites Band and Desmond Dekker. In Europe it is often customary for the headline band to go on in the support slot, and so as I was preparing to go on and The Skatalites were coming off and Brevett handed me his bass and asked me to hold it while he gathered his belongings from stage so he could exit in a reasonable amount of time. During that brief exchange I asked him who else other than him could have played bass on some of my favorite recordings from the 60′s and 70′s. He explained that he did not own an electric bass until 1970 and rarely played it in the studio or live. So anything with an upright on it was most likely him, and anything electric was most likely ‘Family Man,’ or someone else.”
In was noted that in a 1998 interview with The Dallas Morning News Brevett said he was gratified by the younger fans who packed the group’s shows. “It gives me a surprise to see these little children, 14 or 16 years old, standing outside the club listening to our music,” he told the newspaper. “But it also makes me feel very, very good.”
Aaron Porter a US musician with The Prize Fighters wrote a piece that was well thought out and original. In it he had this to say about Llyod “This is Lloyd Brevett’s legacy; the sublime beauty of his musicianship, a crucial foundation of the ska beat, and a true Jamaican legend. His music will live on in his numerous recordings, from ska and rocksteady to roots and dub, and his memory will endure as one of Jamaica’s best known and most-beloved bass players.”
That about sums it up better than any of us could say.
Brevett is survived by his wife, Ruth, and several children. Funeral arrangements are pending.
If you would like to donate money to the fund for both Okine and Lloyd Brevett (for funeral arrangements and hospital bills), please see the information listed below. Even though Lloyd was a US citizen, he was unable to receive any health or social security benefits while being hospitalized in Jamaica. His wife Ruth and family would appreciate any assistance during this tragic time. Rest In Peace, Lloyd Brevett.
c/o Lloyd Brevett
National Commercial Bank, Hagley Park Branch -
Hagley Park Road
Acct # 174274584
Western Union –
Ruth Brevett, Kingston Jamaica
876-850-4403
originaljamaicaskatalites@gmail.com
Here’s a review of our recent Trinity, Bristol show on May 16. It’s a well written piece with good info even if the writer, Darren Paul Thompson, was not too familiar with the band itself. 
