Tributes pour in for lovers rock queen

TRAGEDY: Jean Adebambo

Fans shocked by singer’s suicide

TRIBUTES CONTINUE to pour in for British singer Jean Adebambo, who died on January 15 after taking her own life.

The passing of the lovers rock star is shrouded in mystery, as even her own family are unsure as to why Adebambo committed suicide.

Early said that he was not able to confirm this.

“I spoke to Jean’s brother Claudius who told me that Jean took her own life and that there was no-one else involved,” Gittens said.

“That’s all the family is prepared to say at this time. Obviously, this a difficult time for her family so they ask that people respect their privacy and give them time to grieve.”

He added: “Her death is a total mystery to everyone. I spoke to her about a week ago and she was fine. No one knows why [she took her life]. It’s one of those things that we’ll never know.”

Adebambo, a singer-songwriter and musician, was considered to be one of the queens of lovers rock. She won critical acclaim in the 1980s, most notably for her album Feelings, which spawned her hit song Paradise.

She later faded from public life amidst claims that she suffered from depression.

But in 2007, Adebambo seemed upbeat when she was interviewed on London-based radio station Choice FM - even talking about her new music.

She returned to the stage to take part in a lovers rock reunion concert at south London venue Brixton Academy in late 2008.

Her final performance was an unplugged session at south London’s D’Eclipse last November.

Her passing has shocked the British reggae-loving community, many of whom expressed sadness about her death. Fans also posted tributes on various websites.

A message left on online television channel Colourtelly’s webpage, read: ‘I feel so gutted that this tragedy has happened… See you in paradise Jean.’

Gittens said he believes Adebambo’s death is a tragedy for the music world.
“Jean was kind, extremely talented and she had a lovely spirit,” he said. “She’d been working as a health visitor and she was a great person. She’d started work on a new album and she even had shows lined up.

“Jean loved singing and her passing is a real loss to the world of lovers rock. Her music touched a lot of people’s lives.”

In March, a benefit concert will take place at east London’s Hackney Empire in honour of Adebambo. Hosted by Angie Le Mar and Eddie Nestor, the event’s proceeds will help fund the education and upbringing of Adebambo’s two daughters.

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