Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

The Mighty Diamonds perform during the Studio One 50th anniversary show held at the Old Coal Wharf, Port Royal, on Saturday, November 27, 2004. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

In these days of greying hair and slower strides, it takes a special occasion or a special effort to get the studio bands together again. One such was the 50th anniversary of Studio One, celebrated at the Old Coal Wharf, Port Royal, Kingston, on Saturday, November 27, 2004, when Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace was on drums and Headley 'Deadly Headley' Bennett was on saxophone.

They were two among a cast of musicians that had provided the music over which Ken Boothe and Marcia Griffiths, among others who recorded at Studio One and also performed at the tribute concert, laid the vocals that turned a hobby into a passion and into a business.

It was not the only time that musicians from Studio One had stepped out of the studio and forward in time, as on February 23, 2004, the Soul Vendors, back together for the first time since 1968, performed on the 'Rock Away' concert series in Norbrook Mountain, St. Andrew.

Sly and Robbie, the drum and bass heart of the Revolutionaries, are, of course, a noted production pair, their Taxi gang working on many a song and the two touring with Sinead O'Conner last year in support of her Throw Down Your Arms album of roots reggae covers.

There was also a rare local appearance at Rebel Salute 2005, at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St. Elizabeth.

The Skatalites jammed together upright bass and all, on Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2000.