Cnc3 News - Trinidad
Local musical legend Joey "Pal" Lewis dies
Local musical legend, Joey “Pal” Lewis has died at the age of 78.
CNC3 has confirmed that Lewis passed away last night although the exact illness is not yet known. He has been ill since 2010.
Lewis has been playing music for more than six decades having started at the age of ten.
He formed his first band—Joey Lewis & The Teenagers—at age 16.
In 2010, Joey began complaining about not feeling well, and his wife Julia told the Trinidad Guardian's Peter Ray Blood back then: “We went to a few doctors for about four years and none of them diagnosed what was wrong with him, but he continued complaining about abdominal pains. In 2011, Joey was admitted to St Clair Medical and the doctors there detected nothing wrong with him after he spent four days in that hospital. Thereafter, that same year, the band’s trumpeter of 25 years, Selwyn John, fell ill and taking him to the Community Hospital in Cocorite, I asked the doctor to examine Joey. He told me right then and there my husband needed to do a CT scan. We did it and the doctor said immediately that Joey had to undergo surgery right away. The doctor said that Joey had a growth in his colon. Within a week of surgery and being discharged we went abroad on a vacation.”
Julia had also recalled that, in August 2012, Lewis began chemotherapy and did treatment for a year. She added that he was still active at that point in time but the chemo sessions began weakening his body. She added: “I took Joey to about four different doctors and they all agreed that the chemo had affected Joey in a very negative manner. Right now Joey’s mobility is limited and he has to be assisted to walk.”
Lewis got the nickname ‘Pal’ from seeing Pal Joey, a 1957 American movie which starred Frank Sinatra, Rita Haywood and Kim Novak. He has been referred to by that monicker since and his band has carried the name as well.
Veteran calypsonian David Rudder was among the first of farewells to Lewis, posting to Facebook: Just heard that Joey passed last night. So long " Pal".
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A GREAT MUSICIAN JOEY LEWIS RIP
A victim of the horrible medical system in Trinidad and Tobago. If Sparrow hadn't. moved to the US he would have been a victim a long time ago.
Such a sad day when one mourns the passing of an Icon, but in this case a Giant among the Icons.
Pal Joey as was his nick name, but was really a pal to those who knew him, a man with a huge smile, a smile that was bigger than his guitar.
His music was even bigger, as it touched generations old and young... and those in between. it was pure genius, he was pure genius, band leader among band leaders, the best in the business, rubbed shoulders with Hollywood stars and dignitaries, respected by other musicians and band leaders alike.
He influenced many up and coming musicians from generation to generation a musical style that span the Caribbean and beyond, his name filled dance halls across the country and set thousands of feet dancing. We'll never see the likes of him again, one in a million. Thank you Pal Joey for your genius, the memories, the good times and the healing of our nation. I salute you Mr Joey Lewis mega star. R.I.P.
Tributes pour in for Joey Lewis...
Musical legend Joey “Pal” Lewis, 78, died yesterday.
Lewis was admitted to the Community Hospital in Cocorite and diagnosed as having a growth in his colon in 2011.
In August 2012 he began chemotherapy which affected his mobility and he had to be assisted with walking. His condition deteriorated slowly until his passing yesterday.
Lewis had been playing music for more than six decades. He formed his first band—Joey Lewis & The Teenagers—at age 16. In 1964 the band toured the United States where Joey met Harry Belafonte and Dizzy Gillespie.
The following year he did a command performance in Guyana for President Forbes Burnham. In 1976, the Solid Gold company took the band to New York for performances where it won wide acclaim.The band has toured regularly, performing in every Caribbean island with the exception of Dominica.
According to his wife Julia, “Joey got the nickname ‘Pal’ from seeing Pal Joey, a 1957 American movie which starred Frank Sinatra, Rita Haywood and Kim Novak. He has been referred to by that monicker since, and his band has carried the name as well.”
Veteran musician Roy Cape said yesterday: “I awoke to the news and it really shocked me. But then again, life is about living and death.
“In 1961, I did an audition with Joey in Belmont. When I first met him the awesomeness of the man overwhelmed and inspired me. I feel that Joey’s band is the longest existing band in the history of world music. That alone says a lot. But his son will perpetuate the dream.
“The first song I learned to play was Kisses by Frank Purcell. Joey taught me that song. For more than half a century I have shared stages with Joey throughout Trinidad. I will give him credit for being a good manager of human resources.To hold a band for over 60-something years and still have some of the original musicians speaks to your leadership skills.”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-02-08/tributes-pour-joey-lewis
I am Orville DeVlugt "Dutchy" Former guitarist of the Dutchy Brothers. My deepest sadness and condolences to the Lewis family, I am weeping in my heart and on my cheeks. We have lost a legend in the music industry, what great talent my Pal Joey Lewis had, even though he has taken it with him into the great Kingdom Of the Almighty Father "GOD" Two years ago, I have spoken to my dear friend Joey Lewis while on interview on Wack Radio along with other greats our friends: Ron Berrridge, Clarence Curvan, and Vin Cardinal with whom the Dutchy Brothers have shared the same stage with in non-stop dances. Pal Joey Lewis have shared the same stage with the Dutchy Brothers at # 1 St. Paul Street, Port Services, Sea men and water front workers union hall and many other venues, the crowds and the responses were cheerful for both bands. I knew his late brother Boyee Lewis a great guitarist, but I remember most of all my wonderful experience performing together with a dear friend of the Dutchy Brothers. Joey Lewis and my brother Ottmar the pianist were comrades. We will always have a place in our heart's for you our dear brother and you will always be remembered by all of your fans and friends and fellow musicians, especially when we play Joey Saga and more.favorites.
On Behalf Of the Dutchy Brothers,
Orville DeVlugt "Dutchy"
Or
Hey Orville , I tried to contact you without success.
Can you email me at grjoseph@comcast.net ?
Thanks
THE MUSIC LIVES ON...Rest In Peace.
Pal Joey Lewis - In A Monastery Garden
My condolences to the Lewis' family. May he rest in peace.
RIP my brother. Thanks for all the wonderful classics and the lovely memories! Blessings and condolences to your family.
RMP.
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