The music fraternity is mourning the passing of Winston “Boyo” Hammond, older brother to Jamaican music icon Beres Hammond, who succumbed to his fight with Cancer on Tuesday, October 9th at the Brampton Civic Hospital in Toronto. He died peacefully surrounded by his family.
Born into a large family in Annotto Bay, St. Mary on October 7th, 1943, Winston was the fifth of ten children and second boy child for Roslyn Patterson and Lance Hammond. He was given the name “Boyo” very early in life by a cousin. Some have speculated that it was because he and his famous brother, Beres shared the same middle name of “Beresford”.
During the early 60’s and 70’s “boyo” Hammond was a staple on the North Coast of Jamaica, ruling the hotel circuit as an outstanding Cabaret singer. He worked with the likes of Lenny Hibbert and Karl McCloud and was a favorite among the tourists at places like the Playboy, Ruins, Jack Tar and others. He was known for his soulful style and had a natural flair for the music of Otis Redding, Nat King Cole, Sam Cook and Frank Sinatra and most standards coming out of America at the time and pop songs like Cuando Cuando, Spanish Harlem and Unforgettable became his own. Boyo was also a very talented visual and graphic artist. Whether it was lettering, or painting or drawing of landscapes or faces, his artwork usually evoked amazement. Most of his pieces have been given as gifts to many family members and loved ones over the years. It was he who designed the logo and lettering for Beres Hammond’s Harmony House. The fun loving and highly intelligent Boyo was a self proclaimed news junkie. He was also a mediator and loved things in order. He was a confidante to many artists and musicians within the industry who would go to him seeking advice and would always receive wise counsel. Ironically, Boyo just completed work on his album, WINNER soon to be released by VP Records.
On Tuesday, October 9th at 4:11pm, Boyo took his last breath, two days after celebrating his 75th birthday with family and friends. He received a copy of the album on his birthday which made him very happy as he listened to the entire album. He leaves behind his wife of fifty years, Barbara (Babs) of Port Maria and Toronto where they lived; his children Michelle, Junyah, Ray and Lenn Hammond and seven grand children and two great grands. Sisters Irene, Shernette and Jasmin and brothers Holden and Beres, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends too numerous to mention.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 19th at 11am at the Andrews Community Funeral Center, 8190 Dixie Road, Brampton, ON. His body will then be flown to Jamaica, his final resting place with a funeral service on Tuesday October 30th at Port Maria Gospel Chapel, Interment at the Annotto Bay Cemetery.