International Hapkido Tamworth

With Mica Paris – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 17 months in a row. 🎉

The Last Reel of the “Last Real”
A tribute to James Chambers, better known as Jimmy Cliff.
July 30, 1944 - November 24, 2025

Wow. The last time I laid eyes on Jimmy was when we, Three the Hard Way (Dennis Bovell, Brinsley Forde and I), opened up for him at the Roundhouse in London in 2018. He was electrifying as ever.

Jimmy Cliff became popular with songs like “I Can See Clearly Now,” “Reggae Night” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want.” But it was his songs of suppression and the political edge that he had that made me gravitate toward his energy. These were hits like “Vietnam,” “We All Are One,” “Struggling Man” and “The Harder They Come” that gave him his deserved respect among the greats.

One would believe that it was Bob Marley who took reggae to the four corners of the globe, but it was actually Jimmy who was first to have a major record deal with Island Records back in the late 60s. This was at a time when the label failed miserably in trying to push his music to a rock audience. Thank Jah that his greatness finally got recognised over the years when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, of all places, in 2010.

Nevertheless, what stands tallest among Jimmy Cliff’s six decades of unprecedented achievements is his role as “Ivan” in reggae’s first feature film, The Harder They Come. The movie portrayed the climate of skullduggery within the music industry at that time, and Jimmy played the character of a cheated recording artist to a T. I can honestly say that Jamaicans remember this film for Jimmy’s/Ivan’s final words before being killed: “Star guy can’t die ‘til the last reel.”

Thank you a thousandfold for the mark you have made in this industry, Jimmy. Your trailblazing efforts will never be forgotten. RIP, RIP.

Today is the day of the Community Radio Awards 2025 and we have Marcello, Nikki And Alfie heading to represent Radio Tamworth! We have been nominated for Digital Content of the Year award for our Tiktok account!
We are so honoured to have received a nomination and will keep you updated how we get on!

We could be in with a chance of an award...

Today is the day of the Community Radio Awards 2025 and we have Marcello, Nikki And Alfie heading to represent Radio Tamworth! We have been nominated for Digital Content of the Year award for our Tiktok account!
We are so honoured to have received a nomination and will keep you updated how we get on!

When that tune kicks in...it's Time to Strut your Stuff and squeeze your chicken to Dean Yates's KOOL TO DANCE SHOW on Radio Tamworth 106.8fm on Sunday 5 - 8pm also on radiotamworth.com and TikTok too

Bee Gees - More Than a Woman #beegees #morethanawoman #chicken #chickens #ducks #vinheteiro #lordvinheteiro

Time to Strut your Stuff and Get your best dancin pants ready this Sunday for Dean Yates's KOOL TO DANCE SHOW on Radio Tamworth 106.8fm on Sunday 5 - 8pm also on radiotamworth.com and TikTok too
Keep on Keepin' On!

“Out On The Floor” - Dobie Gray #outonthefloor #1960ssoul #dobiegray #northernsoul #soul #onthedancefloor