L.A. Lewis Pays Tribute To Queen Elizabeth II: “The Greatest Queen”
Following the announcement of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Dancehall fans in Jamaica turned their attention to entertainer L.A. Lewis, a longtime fan of the 96-year-old, who was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II, died on Thursday at Balmoral after reigning for 70 years. According to a BBC report, her family had gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday.
After her death was announced, L.A. took to social media to express what he said was his grief.
“We are talking about Queen Elizabeth II. One of the greatest queen that the world has ever seen. No doubt. And the reason why I say one the greatest queen the world have ever seen… is the longest reigning queen ever; reign longer dan Cleopatra, reign longer dan her madda… suh I would like to say R.I.P. people, but I cannot say R,I.P.…,” LA said.
LA Lewis’ obsession with the Queen and the royal family dates back almost two decades.
In September 2008, L.A. staged a media launch at the Olympia Crown Hotel in Kingston for the launch of his single titled The Greatest Queen which he described as “a musical tribute to Queen Elizabeth II” for which the entrance fee was $37,000.00 for non-invitees.
L.A. Lewis had said that The Greatest Queen, which also featured the voice of the monarch, was a conscious effort to salute the work and achievements of the Queen Elizabeth II, who as “the greatest ever, she gives to the rich and the poor”.
L.A. had pulled a big turnout of his event which included special guests Bongo Herman, Miss Jamaica World 2006, Sara Lawrence, and comedians Ity & Fancy Cat. He had said then, that all proceeds from the launch as well as the sales generated from The Greatest Queen single would be donated to charity.
In 2018, Dancehall megastar Shaggy was among the performers at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday, at a concert to celebrate the 92nd birthday of Queen Elizabeth in April that year, and, according to the It Wasn’t Me singer, after he broke protocol and went into the audience during his performance, the queen winked at him.
Shaggy and British singer Sting had performed a medley of songs for the Queen, which included Mr. Boombastic and Angel.
With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will be the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
According to a BBC report, all the Queen’s children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed her under medical supervision and a subsequent statement, from Buckingham Palace later said that she “died peacefully at Balmoral”.
“At Buckingham Palace in London, crowds awaiting updates on the Queen’s condition began crying as they heard of her death. The Union flag on top of the palace was lowered to half-mast at 18:30 BST,” the report stated.
According to the BBC’s report on Queen Elizabeth’s life, she ascended to the throne in 1952 and “witnessed enormous social change” in a reign as head of state which “spanned post-war austerity, the transition from empire to Commonwealth, the end of the Cold War and the UK’s entry into – and withdrawal from – the European Union”.
“Her tenure also spanned 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill, who was born in 1874, and including Liz Truss, born 101 years later in 1975, and appointed by the Queen earlier this week,” noted the BBC.
According to the report, Elizabeth held weekly audiences with her prime minister throughout her reign.
The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926.
After her uncle Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry the twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson, in December 1936, her father became King George VI and, at age 10, Elizabeth became heir to the throne.
She later married her third cousin, Philip, Prince of Greece, and got married at Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947, with the prince taking the title of Duke of Edinburgh. Phillip died last year at age 99 after 74 years of marriage to Elizabeth.