1 year anniversary of Andy Palacio’s death

Today marks the one year anniversary of the death of Belizean musical icon Andy Palacio. At forty-seven years old, Andy was at the peak of his career when he suddenly became ill and died of a massive stroke. In his twenty years on the music scene, Palacio released three full length albums, seven E.P. cassettes… and several music videos. 2007 was Andy’s biggest year and 2008 was poised to be just as great. His latest CD Watina, released in March 2007, was a runaway hit in Belize and internationally, having reached the top of the European world music charts. In October he and producer Ivan Duran, won the prestigious WOMEX Award from the World Music Expo and were about to embark on another international tour. In September, he was named Artist for Peace by UNESCO and bestowed with the Order of Meritorious Service by the Belize Government. Andy, who was given the title of Belize’s cultural ambassador in 2004, was no stranger to Channel Five. He composed the News Five theme music and hosted a variety programme entitled the Andy Palacio Show… in tribute we bring you some highlights of Andy from the News Five archives.

[Intro: Andy Palacio Show]

Andy Palacio
“Well, good evening and welcome to the first ever Andy Palacio show. My name is Andy Palacio and tonight we have a program lined up for you that’s full of excitement.”

“The Belizean DJs showcase on the Andy Palacio show continues with two super DJs. I notice dat the DJs deh weh come up come rap, they like work with you and I note seh dat they gah fi they own lee kinda language and I si you could relate to that. I hear they seh like wheel up sometimes. How yo woulda wheel up?”

D.J.
“When they seh wheel up ih mean like, alright, the music di play right now and ih seh wheel up we just wah … and dat da weh ih mean by wheel up right, automatically just pull it back way.”

Andy Palacio
“This is my co-host, I.C. Craig. Is that how I should call you; I.C. Craig?”

Indira Craig
“Indira Craig, I prefer.”

Andy Palacio
“Okay”

“Weh yo name paadna?”

D.J.
“David Obey.”

Andy Palacio
“So you dah juni?”

D.J.
“Noh really, I noh like go by juni.”

[Andy and group singing “The Banana Boat song”]

Andy Palacio
“I guess that’s it for the Andy Palacio show this season. Thanks very much to all of you who have taken time out to watch the show these past few weeks and, by all means, look out for us next season. We’ll have more in store for you. in the meantime, let the music play on, keep the action tight. As for me, I’m headed back to my turf on water lane. That’s where the show first started, remember?”

[“Gimme Punta Rock” music video]

Andy re: Keimoun
“This is my first opportunity to actually have these song recorded and released on a compact disc and that way I get to have them exposed to a much wider audience than they hade ever been exposed before.”

[Clip of song “Til da Mawnin”]

Andy re: Til da Mawnin
“We came back to Belize with those masters and we added background vocals here in Belize, turtle shells, Garifuna drums and a couple of other tracks. And that’s what we took to Mexico City for mixing.”

“I think they first got to know about us through our promotional material which Stonetree Records produces and hands out at music trade shows like WOMEX in different European countries. I think they were able to see something different about our music. They were able to observe our styles of drumming, the fact that we sing in a different language; in an indigenous language for that matter, is of interest to these people from other countries. We open doors for other musicians because the whole idea is getting Belize’s name out there, getting—being recognised for something that’s from here. We could go out there and do rap, we could go out there and do reggae but it takes something indigenous from our country and we get appreciated for it. We are not simply participating in this festival, we are actually headlining this festival.”

[Andy singing “Watina”]

Andy Palacio
“We had to get it right and it was a matter of timing to fall—to have all the pieces fall together at the right time and this seems like just the perfect opportunity to release this to the world.”

“Making this album was a real pleasure because it gave me the opportunity to work with a number of Garifuna artists that I’ve always had the desire to collaborate with across generations. Nabor, Adrian, Reckless, Lloyd, Justo, Lugua, Aurelio.”

[Andy performing]

Andy Palacio
“Many people will agree that throughout most of my career I’ve been making music for the body and now its time to transcend and perhaps make something for the mind.”

“One of my favorites is Amunegu, which is a serious song of reflection on the future survival of Garifuna culture. I am asking a number of questions and making the point that we cannot just leave these things to chance, that elements of the culture need to be taught in order for them to continue, lest we lose them altogether in times to come.”

[Andy performing “Amunegu”]

A foundation and trust fund has been set up by family and friends of Andy to preserve and promote his legacy.