Lord Laro returns for farewell concert
He belongs to that generation of Caribbean entertainers referred to as “classics” or “has beens”, depending on your age and musical tastes. But while Lord Laro is far past the peak of a long career, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Belizeans as the musician of Independence. And if he recorded no other song than “Tell Guatemala Leave Belize Alone”, he would still be immensely popular in the Jewel. This afternoon Laro returned for what may be his last performance here.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It was the usual airport arrival for a visiting big time musician… but wait a minute, this isn’t the P.G.I.A. …and those people… they look so young. The year in fact was 1982, when the rough and tumble airport was called Belize International. It was one of Lord Laro’s first visits to Belize and the highlight was a big dance at the Pickwick Club.
Fast forward to the present when twenty-three years later, the veteran Caribbean entertainer is making what is described as his final international tour.
Singing since the age of eight, it was in 1961 that Lord Laro made his first big hit. But as this talented honorary citizen of Belize gets ready to make his graceful departure from the stage, he believes his final moments in the spotlight should be spent giving thanks to the man who made it all possible.
Lord Laro
“The most thing I wanted was music. I said I want to learn music, how to read, to write music, how to play music and I am fortunate that now I can play drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, clarinet… and you named them, I have learned them and I have learned them by myself with the inspiration of God, I don?t believe that I could have done it on my own.”
Laro’s final international performance takes place on Saturday inside the King’s Room at the Princess Hotel and Casino. The event takes place as part of celebrations leading up to Independence Day. Anwar Barrow is the one of the organisers for the Belize Independence Ball.
Anwar Barrow, Organizer, Belize Independence Ball
“We are primarily targeting a more mature audience, people who are more familiar with his music, but you would be surprised that a lot of young people are into Laro?s music and will come out and support.”
“We have theatre style seating and we have tables. People can reserve their tables by calling 602-5733.”
Jacqueline Woods
“When was the last time you were in Belize and just how long have you been coming here and what has the response been like?”
Lord Laro
“The last time it was in 1995, 1995. But throughout my stay in Belize every year was great. There was no year that wasn’t great, you know, every year it was just getting better and better, just great.”
Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
Judging from that classic video footage, it looks like 1982 was a pretty good year.
