Old Negril Photos

[Creasemon]

Oh Man The Soon Come club is part of my 1st ever night in Negril - March/1978 - Me & 4 buddies went to Negril for 1st time and were to stay at La Mar cottage but it was much smaller then and Harris could not fit all 5 in. So we stayed a night at a cottage on Westland Mountain Road. Two of us walked into town in pitch black (No street lights then) met a guy who offered us a Sub ride and then took us to the Soon Come Club. The Bartender kept talking to us and we could not understand a word of his heavy patois - Obviously as the only 2 white guys in the club on our 1st night ever in Jamaica - We glowed in the dark we were so pale ! He was offering us whatever we needed but we kept saying "Excuse me or I beg your pardon!" Too Funny ! I remember the Bakery in the plaza too for some great patties & Coco bread and there was the Original Cambio across from it and the original branch of NCB was in there too. The grocery store entrance was from inside the plaza in those days too with no where near the selection you see now.!

[ohliz]

That train from MoBay to Kingston stopped running in 1992? There is a new train that was being tested around St. Andrew -St Catherine area though I haven't heard much about it since it began.

http://reconnectingamerica.org/news-...ce-in-jamaica/

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...ead/lead3.html

[johng]

Hi Ohliz,

Too bad about the train situation but I guess the hurricanes mashed the tracks up and there hasn't been the need to rebuild although I too heard something about the St. Andrew-St Catherine line. As a matter of fact last year while driving from Kingston to Treasure Beach via the toll road there is a refurbished railroad car all fresh painted sitting on the tracks. I had written to the new director of the current rail project inquiring about whether there might be any interest in running a truck equip with train wheels on any lines of track that may be passable towards Maggoty and MoBay way as a tourist attraction but never heard anything back from anybody. If you ever traveled that Kingston-MoBay line it goes through the heartland and there are some pretty cool tunnels and bridges that you travel on. Back in the old days all the sugar cane and molasses from Appleton Estate traveled to Kingston by rail but now by tanker truck so I guess the rail lines became redundant.

[Rob]

John,

Welcome to Negril.com man!

Sunsplash ran its course, moving venues every few years until its last real show in 1996 (I went to the last one in Mobay in 1992). But, Reggae Sumfest started as a competing festival in 1993 (I went to that first one in Mobay) and that show has been carrying the reggae banner ever since.

This year's event is taking place in Mobay from July 21st to the 27th - at Catherine Hall. Here is their website link:

http://reggaesumfest.com/

[johng]

Thanks Rob,

Yea the Sunsplash was a lot of fun. I've heard about Sumfest but have not had the opportunity to check it out. Thanks for the welcome to Negril.com, seems like a lot of positive vibes and info. God Bless!!

[johng]

Hi Rob,

I see that Negril is still pretty active when it comes to music with Yellowman recently at Roots I believe. I remember seeing him there in the 80's as well as Burning Spear on another occasion. Also had heard that Warren Haynes has been doing shows with Govt Mule at an all inclusive club in Negril for a few years now. I remember back in the 70's the Allman Brothers spent a lot of time in Ochie and I know Dickey Betts used to hang in Negril at the Charela Inn back in the day. Also remember hearing that Johnny Cash spent a lot of time on the island and was very active in charitable causes in MoBay.

[spub]

Johng-

My first trip to Negril was also in '75. What an experience. Can only help with one of your questions. Brimsley Hall was a bartender at Roots Bamboo <sp?> until about two years ago, when he retired. One of the nicest guys I ever met, and I still miss him when I go there.

Respect

Kirt

[rocknrollfarmer]

Check out the book......"WALK GOOD" TRAVELS TO NEGRIL JAMAICA by Roland Reimer There are many mentions of the Pickeled Parrot, plus lots of cool stories and such. Go to amazon.com for more info on this book. Happy Reading. Trust me. 'Rockn'n'Roll Farmer" 9x Negril

[johng]

rocknrollfarmer,
I've come across Walk Good but never had the chance to check it out. Thanks for the heads up.
John

[johng]

Thanks Kirt,

I know Brimsley long time gone now. He was bartender extraordinaire at the Villas Negril dating back to the mid 70's. If you're back there and should run into him please say Hi from me.
Respect,
John