Barry G To Reunite With Sir David Rodigan At Groovin In The Park In NYC

‘Boggieman’ ‘Barry G’ Gordon, the one time top broadcaster at Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) radio in Kingston in the 70s and now the current ruler of afternoon radio at Mello FM in Montego Bay has a big date in New York. Gordon will reunite with British broadcaster Sir David Rodigan on Sunday, June 30th at the 9th annual Groovin’ In The Park concert slated for Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NY.

The veteran broadcaster, who went from radio producer to hosting his own program at JBC in the 70’s is considered an innovator, an educator and an entertainer. He is responsible for breaking numerous hit records in his 40 plus years on radio including reggae songs by Yellowman, Barrington Levy and Sophia George. David Rodigan, who grew up in England in the mid 1960’s became enthralled by Jamaican music by Millie Small, Bob Marley, Toots & the Maytals, Jimmy Cliff and Marcia Griffiths.

“I heard this new, incredibly energized back-beat from Jamaica called Ska and found it to be irresistible, primarily as dance music but then when we went deeper we realized that it was a music that spoke for all of us, especially the under-privileged in society” Rodigan shared.

“Many of us identified with it and so the phenomena of Jamaican music grew beyond the shores of the island and soon reached the world stage” he said.

Radio listeners who grew up in Jamaica in the 80’s, still talk with glee about the intense clashes Gordon had with Rodigan, while he was at Kiss FM in London.

“We have been trying to reunite Barry G and David Rodigan for the past 4 years but Rodigan’s schedule never allowed him to be in New York in late June” Groovin Inc CEO Christopher Roberts disclosed.

“We have always wanted to give youngsters here the chance to see these icons in action since many of them were not even born in 1983 when Barry G challenged Rodigan to a friendly on-air clash at JBC Radio. We have been getting numerous calls from older Jamaicans living here in the New York who are happy we were able to make this reunion happen. History will be create on Sunday, June 30th” Roberts promised.

Beyond the friendly banter that typically happens when Gordon and Rodigan are on air, the two have a close relationship.

“David is my best friend in the radio business….we communicate very often and lament together what is happening in the music business” Gordon once disclosed in an interview.