Stranger Cole’s family found out their father would be receiving one of Jamaica’s highest honours, and the first feeling wasn’t celebration. “We are grateful to be recognised,” his son Theodore ‘Squidly’ Cole told The Gleaner, “but I’m sad that he didn’t collect himself.” That tension between pride and grief is running through everything right now.
Cole passed away on June 11 at the University Hospital of the West Indies at the age of 85, just under two months before the Government of Jamaica announced he would receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his contribution to Jamaican music. The announcement came at his thanksgiving service on July 29, when Minister of Culture Olivia Grange told those gathered that the government would be recognising him in a major way, without giving specifics at the time.
His career stretched close to 60 years, beginning in 1962 during the earliest years of Jamaica’s music industry. He started as a songwriter, penning In and Out the Window for ska singer Eric ‘Monty’ Morris, which became an immediate hit. From there, he moved into recording himself, working under legendary producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid at Treasure Isle.
The partnership that defined much of his legacy was with singer Patsy Todd, together known as Stranger and Patsy. Their duet When I Call Your Name and songs like Rough and Tough became anthems that still hold weight today. Patsy, whose real name is Millicent Todd, was already an established name when Cole was starting out, and she was the first artist to endorse him.
Kareem Ali, son of music pioneer Prince Buster and someone who remains close to Patsy, spoke to The Gleaner about what this honour means to her. “It was a distinct pleasure when we learned that Patsy’s dearest friend and singing partner of more than 60 years was posthumously awarded the OD,” he said. “We are honoured to know that the Jamaican government and the entire musical fraternity has seen it fit to honour him in this manner.”
Ali also shared something that stopped people in their tracks. “The same day that Stranger passed away, Patsy was hospitalised. We didn’t know that he was in hospital or anything, but Patsy took very ill that same day.” She has since recovered, but the timing has clearly stayed with those close to both of them.
Squidly Cole, for his part, made clear the family isn’t letting the moment pass quietly. “We really ‘appreci-love’ it. Jah bless everyone who voted for him to get this,” he said, adding that his father deserves the honour even in death. The family is also pushing forward with plans to establish the Stranger Cole Museum, with a GoFundMe already set up to help fund the project.
Cole is one of nine people from the entertainment world among 140 Jamaicans set to receive National Honours and Awards on Heroes Day. The other Order of Distinction recipients from music include guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, producer Michael ‘Mikie’ Bennett, Robert Livingston, and dancehall artist Clifford ‘Mr Vegas’ Smith. Badge of Honour recipients include gospel contributor Shirley Deloris Findley-Willis and Carlyle Palmer, recognised for growing Jamaican music in the UK through Jet Star Music.
The museum plans and the Heroes Day ceremony are both still ahead, and the Cole family is clearly determined to make sure his story doesn’t get filed away quietly after the award is handed out.
