Pato Banton was in Gainesville last nite @ Heartwood Soundstage. They recently did 7 shows in various Hawaiian islands, a bunch out west, and now on the FL circuit. He's been on a world tour ever since I can remember. He ALWAYS puts on a great show, & I've been a fan since the bubbalin hot English Beat-Ranking Roger days (thanks UF Surf Club!), and I knew it was gonna be another good one. I didn't expect this...on the next to last song, I recognized that unmistakeable riddim. I was in the front row(of course) stage left ,and so was he - so I asked him (while his keyboard player, stage right - was doin a solo - she's amazing) AND .... he invited me get up on stage and sing (Ini Kamoze's) Hot Stepper, with his band! Musta done OK - I got a fist bump, band thumbs up, and a Pato B hat. The crowd kinda went crazy, too. After the show we talked a bit & he signed a CD I had brought with me. Good times with another living reggae legend. Super nice, inspirational, & positive guy, in person and on stage. I'll try to post some pix later. He's in Jax tonite, CB tomorrow nite, next nite- Sebastian... Go Pato! - & Go SEE Pato! Ya won't regret it. ......PS - Shaggy is also in Fla, too. but that's another thread topic.......................... &

Go Pato!

I've been going to his shows since the late 80's. Great guy, great show every time.

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“I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ; I, therefore, hate the corrupt, slave-holding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land.” - Frederick Douglass

5/5, &

Is Pato Buju's brother?

Only in music Banton - this last name comes from the disc jockey slang word "Banton", meaning heavyweight lyricist or storyteller today you learned Buju used to pass thru here a lot back in the day, as well, and of course I met him, but we didn't share the stage. He's also worthy of another thread....

Edited: 06/02/2023 at 11:40 AM by StirfryMcflurry

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“I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ; I, therefore, hate the corrupt, slave-holding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land.” - Frederick Douglass

If you go to Pato Banton Saturday night afterwards let the traffic clear and check out Cherry Down at Johnathan's Pub 9:30 to 1:30am.