Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2016 | Page 366
Caribbean music, be it
reggae, calypso or soca is
known for its infectious
beats. How accepted
do you think this type
of music is here in
Vancouver?
I think this music is widely
accepted here in Vancouver and it
is proven by the numerous “Sold
Out” concerts and events hosted by
Melo Productions with a capacity
of up to 2,700 persons at any given
time, in various entertainment
venues!
Who has been your main
influencers over the
years?
The main influences I have had
over the years started back in
the 1970’s with my Perryscope
Productions’ family (General
Manager at the time; Riley
O’Conner) known today as “Live
Nation”, which in fact, to date, we
still maintain a strong working
relationship. Others are:
• The Late, Great, Drew Burns
(Commodore Ballroom).
• Bruce Allen, Sam Feldman &
John Teti; Agencies in the 70’ &
80’s; where it all began.
• Mr. Justice Selwyn Romilly
• George Barrett; CFRO Co-Op
Radio 100.5FM.
• Peter McCullen – Timber
Productions.
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• Vancouver Impresario; Hugh
Pickett.
• Bob Burrows; Promoter at large.
Just to name a few!
Of all the concerts hosted
by Melo Productions,
which has been your
most memorable so far?
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires.
Melo Productions started hosting
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires in
the late 1980’s, performing in
Vancouver at the Commodore
Ballroom and continued to
perform every single August for
the next twenty years until Byron
Lee’s passing. This was one of
the many events, that Vancouver
waited for every Summer and it