SUVA’S reggae fans were gearing up for a night of live music in June 1998, as the popular Roots Riddim radio program prepared to move from the airwaves to Lucky Eddie’s nightclub.
A report published in The Fiji Times on June 6 that year revealed that Roots Riddim Live N Direct was scheduled for the following Thursday, following three weeks of reggae sessions at the Suva nightclub.
The event was to bring together local reggae musicians and fans for a celebration of the roots and rhythms of Jamaican music.
Behind the event were DJ Tora and radio and television personality James Bhagwan, the duo responsible for FM96’s Roots Riddim program.
The pair had taken their live reggae program from radio to the nightclub, giving reggae enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy the music in a live setting.
“We were doing this for the local musicians; we want to bring back live music, so we need to encourage our musicians,” said DJ Tora.
Tora and Bhagwan were already familiar voices to Fiji listeners, having hosted the musical program on Radio 10FM on Wednesday nights the previous year.
The program became one of the longest-running reggae shows on Fiji radio and attracted listeners across the country, from urban areas of Viti Levu to Savusavu, Vanua Levu and the Lau Group.
The response was strong, with some listeners reportedly going as far as stringing wires in trees to improve their reception and tune in to the one-hour program from outside its normal range.
The radio series eventually ended after the departure of its producers and presenter from the station.
DJ Tora said the show had to continue, leading to the revival of Roots Riddim Live N Direct at Lucky Eddie’s.
The event was planned as the climax of three weeks of reggae tributes, with local musicians coming together for a night of live performances.
Crossection and Company was to feature musicians including Karuna Gopalani, Steve Makaba, Ben Vai and Akuila Qumi.
Bhagwan said hosting Roots Riddim — Live N Direct gave Lucky Eddie’s an opportunity to provide a venue for one of the country’s most popular forms of music.
Tora said the organisers would also consider blues, rock and roll and other special theme nights for music lovers who had few places to enjoy those genres.
“Next Thursday’s jam is a trial run to see how things would go,” he said.
If the format proved successful, the theme nights were expected to become a regular attraction at Lucky Eddie’s.
Tickets were selling for $3 at Dragon Music, with discounts available for USP, FIT and other tertiary students.
“This was to make sure that everyone got a chance to be a part of the reggae experience.”
