Norma Dodd of Studio One Fame Passes Away

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Glowing tributes from both officialdom and entertainers have been pouring in for Norma Dodd, who departed this life at the University Hospital on Tuesday.  The tributes eulogizing the widow of the late Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, founder of the famous Studio One recording facility, read like a manuscript of a musical masterpiece.  Apart from highlighting her managerial expertise that contributed to her husband's monumental success and the worldwide recognition, she is being remembered also for her humble and caring personality.

Here are but a few of such tributes.

"My mom, to me, she was my queen. Gentle, loving person who was always there for everyone," recalled her daughter Carol.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange noted in her tribute to the late matriarch of Studio One.

"Norma was humble, gentle, polite; almost reticent and a great and supportive wife to Coxsone. But she was also a shrewd business woman whose contribution helped to establish Studio One as, arguably, the leading producer of Reggae music. She will be sorely missed and I offer my sympathy to her family, friends and associates," Grange said.

Well-known musicologist, broadcaster and a close family friend, Bunny Goodison told Life Tributes that Dodd was blessed with compassion.

"I found her to be a very caring soul. She has always come across as very inoffensive, polite and very generous person," Goodison said.

Veteran deejay Lone Ranger, also shared his sentiments.

For him, it was the motivational qualities of Norma that was responsible for his prominence in the recording industry.

"Mrs Dodd is a mother. For my entire life she has always been there for me like a guidance counselor giving me good advice and counseling," he said.

And pioneering deejay/ sound system selector, King Stitt said: "Towards Mrs Norma Dodd, I have known her for over 45 years. She was a person who was very kind and she was someone who you could get along with easily. I have known her when she and Mr Dodd were getting together until they got married and they had three beautiful daughters. All I can say, may her soul rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her."

Source: Jamaica Observer


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