Radio Jamaica Celebrating 70 Years

Page 42 Sunday July 4, 2021 Sheryl Lee Ralph World-famous actress “My first radio job was on RJR in the evenings. My handle was the Charmer, and I learned so very much about doing interviews and queuing music to make a show that people would listen to. Winston Williams always said I’d make it big. Congratulations, Radio Jamaica on 70 years.” Rosamund Brown The former FAME princess is a radio station manager. Richie “B” Burgess Richie “B” Burgess was the voice of afternoon radio on RJR for many years. This suave and cultured announcer has since gone into business on his own, operating a gas station for some years and currently the owner and operator of his own wholesale and liquor store. He returned to radio in 2020. Don Topping Don Topping migrated to Florida after a long career at RJR in which he was also instrumental in the creation of FAME 95FM. He is retired and living in Orlando, where he does an occasional commercial. “ RJR has kept up its former standard and maintains the glory it always had. Seventy is just a new beginning. May there be many more. Happy anniversary!” Marie Garth Marie Garth is perhaps the most well- remembered female voice to ever grace Radio Jamaica’s microphone. She currently resides in South Florida, where she has been working for 13 years at the Broward Health North Hospital, for 11 1/2 years in emergency and currently, in the cancer centre as a patient advocate. “I wish RJR success as they continue to take on bigger ventures since I left, including moving into television and the print media. They have made tremendous strides over the years. They gave me a good start as I met people from all walks of life. It was a tremendous learning ground. I wish RJR all the very best.” Where are they now Erica Allen Erica Allen was the voice of news on radio and television for many years. She also had a second very successful career in advertising. She is retired. ? Jefferey Brown Former Broadcast Technician Jeffrey Brown started at Radio Jamaica in December 1973 and retired in January 2020 after 46 yeas with the company. He was hired as a technical operator as the position he had originally applied for months before had in the interim been filled. Brown enjoyed his tenure at Radio Jamaica and travelled extensively for the company, including trips to North America and the FIFA World Cup in France in 1998. In his time at Radio Jamaica, Brown rubbed shoulders with many of the entertainment greats, including Ben E. King, Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, and BobMarley.