Story of Gregory Isaacs Wild 1989 UK Tour

In 1989, Gregory Isaacs embarked on a massive tour of Europe that was scheduled to finish off in Great Britain. He was at the time in the grip of a devastating drug addiction but was handled expertly by his Tour manager, Copeland Forbes. But the final leg in Britain turned out to be a madcap adventure as Gregory would break free from his Management's control and run riot nonstop
#gregoryisaacs #reggae

[@ShakespearLivity]

That same year I saw Gregory in Ghent, Belgium I was backstage when he was litterary brought to the stage, visibly drunk & coked out, hardly able to stand on his feet. After a terrible 20 minute set he left the stage and never returned. Happily I had the chance to see him in full swing one more time about 20 years later in Antwerp. Still not the great Gregroy Isaacs from wayback, but at least he was sober and sang with power and conviction.

[@paulhamilton3956]

I was the leader for Ryddim Kings on that tour. I just wanted to point out that the picture used to depict the band is actually one of my friends and I at a backyard barbecue. There are two other band members in the picture but the others aren’t affiliated with the band. Incidentally I hadn’t seen the other two band members in over 20 years prior to us posing in this picture. Blessings 🙏🏾.

[@obellinfantie]

Saw Gregory Isaacs in concert in Burgess Park, Camberwell, London - a free concert/appearance with a live band. A legend and a memory that will last forever.

[@richbrown5852]

Brother was as rude as can be...I used to see him regular sending boys running up and down shotting round the Catford centre...amazing voice and spirit, one of music's best inheritances...but a troubled soul same way

[@willieluncheonette5843]

my favorite JA roots singer. Was lucky enough to see him here in Central Park in NYC with John Holt and Barrington Levy.

[@MisterElement]

WOOOOOW!!! Appreciate the information!! JAH BLESS!!! So stoked for you RAS!!!

[@brianspivey9254]

Gregory was a bad dude, one of the best Reggae artist ever in my opinion. It is hard to see people ruin their lives with addictions.

[@Infinitebrandon]

Lol. Mon, he was more than stoned 😅. My dad, godfather and the rest of the uncles demanded a refund from his Maui concert. These US veteran, civil rights heroes said he was way beyond gone that they had to cancel the show. Ya the Vietnam guys knew that wasn't just alcohol or ganja, something more serious. Having grown up with the best uncles, oh we had a private beach party all the time, we were totally safe because of their strong, intelligent presence. I'll share my love for G I quickly. One of my best friends had one of the best girls that would always love hanging with me as I was working the country club jamming especially Night Nurse. It's the nicest thing when one can entertain a sister because we know we're all close family. I love having that honor that I can protect my friends girl and I get applause for. Gregory music was always there that kept a holy holy Hawaiian honor. Anytime RAS Kizaro, I'd love to hear your take on Hawaiian reggae. Jah Bless ❤️💛💚💯

[@robertfenton340]

This story could become a movie! Wonder what became of Juba? :)

[@randalloleary1080]

Jah Bless! Thanks for the reggae history lessons. I love them. Keep feeding us the lore, myths and stories of some of the most talented musicians ever!

[@tb22k]

I love Gregor ❤😢😊 so sad he life cut short

[@johannbogason1662]

Gregory was too cool for his own good.

[@SelamTesfaye-ol1tc]

I’ve seen this man performed 3x live , put tears into my eyes until this day I will never forget how he touched my soul !

[@MisterElement]

Raspect!!

[@philliplyn2692]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@patm11236]

Huddersfield, my hometown. ❤ WOW

[@Ogma3bandcamp]

I was meant to see him in 1990 at the One Love concert in London but he didn't show up. Finally got to see him in 1991 at the Birmingham Hummingbird and he was 2 hours late, coked out of his tree and his voice was weak. Was supposed to see him again in Brighton a few years later but again, no show. One of my favourite reggae singers but what an absolute waster.

[@dee24874]

Night Nurse takes a whole new meaning indeed! RIP Gregory Isaacs!

[@drychaf]

What a nightmare. You tell the tale well, thanks. I saw him in Leicester in 1982 and he was on form, but all I remember really is the women going nuts and screaming through the gig!

[@jak1oak677]

That was a great year for Gregory and the roots radics.

[@stuckintha90s]

Copeland Forbes went through a lot 😅 I hope he was well paid

[@user-io8ss3zd4s]

Indiscipline and unprofessionalism have always plagued this business of reggae artists, it’s a very tough business, I had to runaway from it, only the courts and the prison can structure some Jamaican Reggae artist

[@bayokehinde4440]

Guess from your storyline, Gregory and Juba were very tight buddies, but Juba was a whirlwind of troubling influence.

[@TheSheriffess]

I have never brought a ticket to see Gregory and he failed to turn up. I’ve even seen Gregory for free at the millennium dome at one of the last “ Respect” concerts. Only when he was sick and was due to appear with beets Hammond did he fail to attend and 02 was willing to refund tickets even though they had a look alike who looked and sounded just like the cool ruler. I love both Dennis Brown & Gregory Issac’s in equal measure & dispise Europeans for destroying my icons with their demonic drugs!

[@TheSheriffess]

Beres

[@MisterElement]

European’s? One Love to you - you that speak down upon our cousins and ancestors! Respect to individuals that make poor decisions based upon traumatic family history…we’re all ONE - doing our best to heal - from that 1, we’re many!! My family NEVA’ owned another human being, a plantation or acted/spoke ill of our cousins with melanin. Nor did we perpetuate negativity and Babylonian drug production and distribution! BLESS UP!!!

[@blakyut1956]

Great story as always Rasta though sad, had me laughing, G.I was a real rockstar and one of the artists that I have a high number of Album of, and was lucky to even watch him live, if they ever made a biopic about G.I, it will be better than Bob Marley hands down because this reggae star had a very interesting life, RIP Cool ruler

[@robertmathurin739]

Blessed Love Rastafari,, Give Thanks for the video,,Ras,,🇱🇨👊🏽🇯🇲👍🏽❤️🔥🔥🔥

[@dailypolishme]

Sad. Thank you for sharing.

[@SelamTesfaye-ol1tc]

Miss Mr. Cool ruler❤ I love him the best!

[@Gray-zi5bp]

Who is bigger in Jamaica Gregory or Dennis..💯🇬🇧👍

[@DJIMMI-G]

D Brown. That's why he was called the crown Prince of reggae.

[@Gray-zi5bp]

@@DJIMMI-G both great artists but for me like you it's Dennis. Too young to go to the promise land at the age of 42 ....👍

[@DJIMMI-G]

@Gray-zi5bp Ttue, way too early. Two of my favourite D Brown, sitting and watching, and How could I leave.

[@Gray-zi5bp]

@@DJIMMI-G both great tracks but before how can I live... A man what made more than 70 albums unbelievable from the age of 12 . Don't have them all but probably got around half of dennis's albums..... Anyway sorry for waffling 🥱.😂👍

[@lorenzostewart7479]

I believe this..

[@BlackMartialArtsSociety]

I haven’t been getting your notifications for a while glad I came Here

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Really? Check if you've clicked the subscribe button because I post videos twice a week

[@mrsplanetmaster9]

Where was the Night Nurse 🌹😮🌿

[@Ben-Ken]

I once heard that the song wasn't about a woman but the drugs 🤔

[@mrsplanetmaster9]

@@Ben-Ken NN should have been playing in background, whether woman or drugs

[@Ben-Ken]

@@mrsplanetmaster9 he would get a copyright strike against the video if he played it. That's why none of the artists music is played on the channel.

[@mrsplanetmaster9]

@@Ben-Ken Thank U for this education... 💃🏼🌞💚

[@MickGardner-tx9xx]

Tried to take the pics in UK.. nah not happening mate

[@AuthenticSelector64]

Crazy

[@oliverholness8033]

Damn shame

[@Infinitebrandon]

Ok cheese eggs and a beer, it sounds like time for RAS . Ya moderation I

[@henryclarke5363]

i hear he fell off stage somewhere u.k

[@Leroy175]

Sudden fame and lots of women coming after you. Was not an easy thing to deal with. That's when Satan will show up with his evil plan to destroy Jah great creation. Not at week goes by that I don't listen to his music. R. I. P The Cool Ruler!

[@denb9610]

Yeah as stoned implies high on marijuana not cocaine

[@maggieedwards3951]

💜🫶🏾👑😎❤️❤️❤️❤️🌹🌹🌹🌹🇬🇧

[@williamagyekumwiafe5565]

A bundle of talent wasted to drugs.

[@dcz9490]

Cocaine destroyed his voice, took his teeth and also his career…

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

You keep saying “stoned” that’s obviously wrong, he was on hard drugs my friend, deceptive video

[@MisterElement]

Deceptive? Maybe we have different definitions of this term? Respect and 1 LOVE all ways!!!

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

@@MisterElement and maybe your definition is different to the rest of the universe

[@MisterElement]

@@sharkwaters-xb9kc with Love and Respect I decline to be baited by your painful and obvious need to bicker over tiny details. I Love and respect myself and appreciate this channel for providing a platform for us to come together…NOT be divided by silly details that matter NOT!

[@sharkwaters-xb9kc]

@@MisterElement the devils in the detail you educated dunce