Errol ‘Scorcher’ laid to rest

Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

Monday, February 06, 2012

“HE has made his contribution to this country, Jamaica. He has touched the lives of many through his music. His music is the only thing that will never die,” said Pastor Alton Heslop, at the thanksgiving service for the late entertainer Errol Archer.

The service took place yesterday at the Macedonia Seventh-day Adventist Church on Maxfield Avenue in St Andrew.

Archer, more popularly known as Errol Scorcher, died in the Spanish Town Hospital, St Catherine, on January 19 of a ruptured blood vessel in his

head. He was 55.

For those who mourned, the pastor encouraged them to find solace in the late deejay’s CDs and cassettes where his memories will live on.

“There are two paths in life and the choice is up to us — one will lead to life and the other to destruction,” said Pastor Heslop. “In every aspect of our lives there is a choice and we have to live with the consequences of those choices.”

He concluded that the greatest decision in life is “to choose Jesus as your Saviour — as that choice will determine your destiny”.

Before the message, there were tributes from Archer’s sisters and nieces in songs and poetry.

His daughters described him as “a loving and wonderful man”, while his stepdaughter Tanisha Grossett-Walker spoke of the love and care he bestowed upon her and her brother, Oshane.

‘Scorcher’ was eulogised as a “man who loved music and was inspired by many of the great reggae legends”. His love for music was transitioned from a hobby to a great career that was respected by many.

While church was almost filled to capacity, there were not many familiar faces from the entertainment industry. Those in attendance were deejays Ranking Trevor, Trinity, Jamaica Federation of Musicians president Desi Young and record producer GG Ranglin.

‘Scorcher’ worked on several sound systems in the 1970s before starting his own, Upsetter Disco. Among his several releases were Leggo Mi Hand Babylon, Engineers Affair, Peace Truce, Roach Inna Di Corner, Frog Inna Water and his latest single Waan Back Mi Food which he co-wrote with his fiancee, Dorna Brown.

He leaves behind fiancée, children — Lerone, Lisa, Nadine, Richie, Shelly, Kevin, Simone, Vashann, Craig and Tinardo; 12 grandchildren, six brothers and four sisters. Interment followed in the Meadowrest Memorial Gardens, St Catherine.