my darling

its now been 8 months since your angels came to collect you and to me it still feels like yesterday i cant believe you are no longer here i light the candle in front of your photo every day i wish we could turn back time just so i could speak to once more my life is empty without you my darling i love you so much make sure you keep that chair for me darling i will be there one day beside you once more

Thanks

Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us . The Galords was a part of my life because my older brothers and cousins who were the coolest, listened to the music.I listened to his music all my life growing up.
Thanks again

So sorry to hear one of the members of GPU, has passed away

Hello everyone,
My name is Sharon Sandra (Samuel) Palmer. I live in London. Today is 20/06/08. I was busy upstairs at home doing something and all of a sudden, 'Gaylords Power Union' came to my mind and I don't know why. I grew up listening to most of their songs, but for a long time, I had not heard any of those songs, seeing that I live far away from home in the UK. But for some reason, lately, some songs have been coming to mind, strangely. But today, esp. the band's name came to mind and I thought, I've got to go online to see what I can find about Gaylord's Power Union. This is when I discovered one of the members, Anthony Starret Francois from the band had passed away. I have just finished listening to some of the song bytes and wish I had the full copy of their records. I am so moved and heartbroken and homesick. I still miss Dominica and hope to visit next year, by God's grace. I am 44 yrs old now and I cherish everything Dominican, as I am fully born and bred! I used to hear my dad play Gaylords music on his old gram when I was growing up in Dominica. God bless you all and esp. family of Mr. Francois. Do keep strong in Jesus and do accept my sincere sympathy on your loss.
Love,
S. P.

Deepest Sympathy

On the behalf of the 'Humble Boyz' we are sending out our deepest sympathy to all former G.P.U members,Family and Friends of 'Humbles'. That was the name we gave him when he started to call us the 'Humble Boyz' Starr became a mentor to us when the band used to live and practice in Canefield. we help prepare certain meals for him and sure his living area was clean.That's why he called us 'Humble Boyz' Starr introduce us to the music of Bob Dylan ,Led Zepp;in, The who and many other great bands and musicians. starr liked his johnny cake ,so we always made sure we had it for him when we went there.
Humbles your music will live on in me and the other Humbles and in all Dominicans you made D.A proud R.I .P
The Humble Boyz
Mervin Mason 'Boney' (New Jersey USA) Steve Roberts 'Funky Robot' London,England ) Desmond Burton'Bolo' (Seattle USA) Victor Burton 'Vic' Seattle USA)

FLYING THE FLAG FOR DOMINICAN TALENT

I was a boy in in Dominica (1971) when I first heard of Starrett, the blind keyboard-playing wizzard of The Gaylords. To me at the time there was something of a mind boggling aura surrounding these guys, something so super human and unobtainable, but fabulous. I was in absolute awe of these talented players & singers. My life back then was quite sheltered and I never got to meet these heroes though hearing them all the time on radio. Some time ago I made efforts to meet Starr at his home for a chat about the band and his involvement. Backing off when I realized he was probably being protected from approaches due to his disability, so I never got to meet the man. It sure would have been great to meet the apparent funny man that he was.

Now I sincerely hope it won't take more passings like this for those who know me and those who don't for that matter, to realise the good & benefit of what we have been trying to achieve at SUNWORKSMEDIA, albeit for some time now, regarding 'The Gaylords Power Union' super group and its Dominica contributions, of which Starrett became an integral part. As I understand the songs 'Hit Me With Music' 1972 which later became a Bob Marley hit is in part, and 'Dreams of Africa[A Damoo Ziamba]' 1973 fully attributed to him.

My deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and loved ones. We shall forever fly the flag for true caribbean and indeed Dominican talent.

Rest in Peace Starrett and drop me a line from up there sometime.. Blessings to all your loved ones, keep Strong.

one of the greatest losses ever

I first heard about starr when i met Ashanna in 1996 the mother of three children. Starrs gran children and sometimes the things that she would say which Starr could do with his hands were amazing. Keeping in mind he was blind would leave me in total disbelief until someone in the family would say yes. His talent an gifts was one of a kind and I'm so sorry we did not get a chance to meet, but I know you would live on through a generation bearing in mind you left one of your daughters with one of your greatest talent 'a voice' and a heart for music. A ture starr that shined a bright light for every one to see you would be sadly missed and never forgotten.

your music lives on...

JUST READ OF THE PASSING OF STARRET. HE WILL BE MISSED IN THE MUSIC WORLD AND EVERYONE CONNECTED TO GAYLORDS-MYSELF INCLUDED.

MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY. HE WILL BE REMEMBERED
WITH A SMILE

LOVE
MARLENE

RIP

TO THE FAMILY LEFT BEHIND:

TO US HUMANS, THERE MAY BE NO PAIN WORST THAN DEATH, BUT JUST REMEMBER, GOD CHOSE IT THIS WAY, YOU MAY BE SAD TODAY, AND WILL BE SAD TOMORROW, BUT PLEASE FIND COMFORT KNOWING THAT HE IS NOW IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD'S CHOZEN ANGELS.

ACCEPT MY SYMPATHY.

You will always be remembered

Although I had not seen Starrett since he left for the UK, I have often thought of him. Strange at it may sound, on Sunday Feb. 24, I related to my sister in law, a funny icident that happened sometime in the 60's that involved Starrett and myself. Funny I say, because he had a great sense of humor. In short ,we were hanging out outside of the old Charles Pharmacy in Roseau. Starrett was sitting in a car with the door open. When he closed the door my fingers got
in the way. I screamed with pain 'garcon you doh see my hand?' Starret in his usual style, replied quite calmly, 'boy you forget I blind man'. We all busted out laughing, and the pain went away.

I am sure wherever he is today he is making music and having fun.

To his family, please accept our depest sympathy and may good continue to protect and comfort you. Be strong.

You will always be remembered

Although I had not seen Starrett since he left for the UK, I have often thought of him. Strange at it may sound, on Sunday Feb. 24, I related to my sister in law, a funny icident that happened sometime in the 60's that involved Starrett and myself. Funny I say, because he had a great sense of humor. In short ,we were hanging out outside of the old Charles Pharmacy in Roseau. Starrett was sitting in a car with the door open. When he closed the door my fingers got
in the way. I screamed with pain 'garcon you doh see my hand?' Starret in his usual style, replied quite calmly, 'boy you forget I blind man'. We all busted out laughing, and the pain went away.

I am sure wherever he is today he is making music and having fun.

To his family, please acacept our depest sympathy and may good continue to protect and comfort you. Be strong.