Prilly Hamilton, unique lead singer of Third World, died on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Drummer Willie Stewart has paid tribute to his former Third World colleague Milton “Prilly” Hamilton, who died in Florida on February 17, saying he was vital to the band’s improvement in the course of the early years.
Hamilton, who was the band’s unique lead singer, was 74 years-old. He was hospitalised in Kingston in early January, and went to Florida lately for additional therapy for an undisclosed sickness.
“Prilly stood out to me as a really disciplined, arduous working member (of Third World) with sure duties that he took severely, like his lead vocals, harmonies and his obligation as accountant for the band,” Stewart instructed Observer On-line. “Prilly additionally performed drums and had an ideal really feel for percussion together with Carrot (percussionist Irving Jarrett) gave the band nice tapestry and rhythmic pulse.”
Stewart joined Third World in December 1975, two years after it was based by keyboardist Ibo Cooper and guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore. Whereas he was buddies with Cooper and Coore, Stewart first met Hamilton throughout rehearsals for his first present with the band on the Playboy Membership in Kingston on New Yr’s Eve that 12 months.
Hamilton sang lead on Third World’s self-titled debut album which was launched in 1976 by Island Information. He left that 12 months to deal with enterprise pursuits as a printer, however launched quite a lot of solo singles together with Stunning Folks.
“After his departure from the band, we turned nearer buddies and would work on unique songs which he was the proper go-to individual as he may sing and interpret the precise really feel and temper for a tune,” mentioned Stewart, who left Third World in 1997.
Final March, Hamilton was a visitor performer on Stewart’s Rhythms Of Africa present in Miramar, Florida which saluted Cooper who died in October 2023.
He’s the newest Third World member to move away. Along with Cooper, the others are singer Bunny Rugs — who changed him — who died in 2014, Jarrett in 2018, drummer Cornel Marshall in 2024 and guitarist Rupert Bent Jr, who died final January.
Prilly Hamilton is survived by 5 youngsters, six grandchildren, brothers and sisters.
