Remembering Barbados Music Icon Ricky Aimey: A Tribute to His Legacy

The music fraternity was thrown into mourning as news circulated of the death of talented musician Ricardo “Ricky” Aimey on Monday.

Former Minister of Culture John King, speaking as a fellow musician, said it was always difficult to talk about someone’s passing, especially a friend and colleague.

“It is always difficult when people you have worked with for many years, whom you have admired, passed. And it seems as if we are in a part of our lives now that tells you that you are ageing, were we are losing a lot of the real guardians who have put Barbados’ music on the map,” King said.

“His contribution to the music scene is second to none. Ricky was one of those persons who helped shaped the sound of spouge as it evolved.

Like so many other leading entertainers in Barbados, Aimey’s beginning was in the church and the school. Born in King Street, The City, he attended Wesley Hall Boys’ and then Boys’ Foundation School where he got involved in the concerts, playing the guitar and the xylophone.

Ricky’s first outing with a group was at the invitation of Andy Weekes to join a rock group known as Neon Dark Shade where he played the bass guitar and did vocals.

His next attachment was with a group called The Doors, who later changed their name to Everyday People, which included the Stewart brothers, Omowale and Sundiata, and Desmond “Fowl” Weekes.

Then came the Twilights with the likes of Raymond Harewood, Smokey Burke and Foxy Alleyne. He then started touring with the Draytons Two and then the Outfits.

Aimey opened for major acts such as Patti LaBelle and Brian McKnight, and has toured the Caribbean, North America and Europe.

He was 70 years old. (NS)