Everyone talks about the ‘good old days’ when times were simpler. Take a look at this picture from yesteryear and see if you can spot places, people and scenes you recognise.
Islander Nightclub (1984)
Man… the Islander Nightclub. That certainly brings back some memories for those of us now in our 50s. We were teenagers when it opened, desperate to get in there on a Friday night for a dance and some fun.
Built in 1984 by Lawrence Thompson, the club was situated on Lawrence Boulevard in the Islander Complex, opposite where Quiznos and the Harquail Theatre is today. He created the large venue for residents and tourist alike, and having live entertainment was definitely part of the plan.
The house band directors for this venture were Chuck Quappe and Barrie Bergstrom (later Quappe), backed by Odyssey – a band featuring Mark McTaggart (sporting a bandito mustache) on drums; Dwight Merren on guitar; and Luggard ‘Luggy’ Anderson performing bass duties.
The starry-eyed Chuck and Barrie, with the support of AL Thompson, auditioned and put together an original Caribbean floor show, complete with bamboo dancing and bright, tantalizing costumes with a full Caymanian cast. Edward Solomon of Arabus clothing fame with his bongos and expensive flamboyant outfits was chosen as ringleader, egging on various floor dancers. There was a lady who went by the name of Isis, who performed a full-fledged fire-eating act. Then there was East-Ender and childhood friend of Barrie’s, Edney McLean, with the stage name of Prince Edney, whose act involved walking on broken glass and a bed of nails without injury, leaving the audience in awe. (Of course, when you’re used to walking barefoot on iron shore, you’ve already got some training under your belt.)
Well-known Caymanian artist Leulen Bodden, renamed ‘Rubber Man’ for the show, performed a very bizarre act using body paint under black light, contorting his body into freakish shapes that few professional yoga instructors could ever attempt. Unique entertainment before its time in Cayman.
Islander Nightclub was a real hotspot, attracting patrons from all around the island. Just as its creator had hoped, tourists and locals enjoyed hanging out there – taking in the shows and dancing the night away.
It was also host to many visiting country music artists who were very popular at the time. The Bellamy Brothers, Freddy Fender, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were some of the charting artists that stopped by. The Merry Men from Barbados made an appearance, and notable Caymanian acts of the day could also be seen there, including the late, great Papie Conolly; Memory of Justice; and Network, to name a few.
The club went through different names and ownerships over the years – Rumheads was on the door at one point. Islander Complex was also home to, among other things, World Gym and the original Bed Restaurant.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Ivan wreaked havoc with the building, and it was never the same. It was eventually torn down, and with it went many happy memories of those who partied there over the years.
Chuck and Barrie still play with Mark McTaggart as Sea ‘n’ B Band, and Lammie Seymour from Memory of Justice can be found entertaining large crowds at Peppers on a weekly basis. It’s great that these talented people are still making beautiful music. Now we just need to get the Islander back in business.
Do you have any memories of the Islander Nightclub? Let us know!
If you have some old photos that you’d like to submit, we’d love to see them to consider them for publication. Be sure to include the credit for the image and any information you have about it. Email to [email protected].
Related Videos
