Left: Ernie Smith performing at the Stars 'R' Us Oldies Show, held at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy, Park Boulevard, New Kingston, on Saturday, November 15. Center: This female patron is steadily focused on the stage performances. Right: It was a thrill for the audience when Ken Boothe took command of the stage. - Winston Sill

Alton Ellis was buried on November 5, but he was brought back to life for one night on Saturday at Stars 'R' Us held at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy in New Kingston.

Before a largely middle-age audience, several of the island's greatest entertainers came out to pay tribute to Ellis with stellar performances coming from Derrick Morgan, Ken Boothe, Ernie Smith, Jimmy Riley and Leroy Sibbles.

Christopher Ellis, who bears a remarkable resemblance to his late father, ascended to the stage shortly after his brother Noel, himself a talented singer, had performed Willow Tree, one of his father's most famous hits.

Noel's short set had the sparse crowd screaming enthusiastically for more, but it was Christopher who took the microphone and had many, including MC Baldwin and those closest to the stage, wondering if they were seeing a ghost.

As he opened with GirlI've Got A Date, the sparse but steadily growing audience converged at the front of the stage as if wanting to catch every word coming from the young singer's lips.

"The man sound like his father, eeh?" Baldwin interrupted.

Christopher moved straight into Breaking Up Is Hard To Do and as he sang he donned a tan-coloured hat similar to the ones that helped define his late father's style. The crowd roared in approval.

He reeled off a few more favourites including Lord Deliver Us and I'm Still in Love With You, and for an encore, Dancecrasher.

Sibbles, who had been upset at not being able to perform sooner, closed the show in style. By the time he took the microphone it was well past 3 a.m. and many of the already sparse crowd had gone. But those who remained, mainly women, thoroughly enjoyed his set.

With their hands raised and waving in the cool night air, they welcomed him as he gave them a taste of We've Got To Live Some Life, Feel Like Jumping, and 54/46.

Before long, it was like he had his own private audience. The women, who had waited all night to see Sibbles perform, gazed lovingly up at him as he sang their favourites like, Sea of Love, Trying to Conquer Me, and Fat Girl.

Earlier, after performances from Pam Hall, who delivered a solid performance with hits like Young Hearts Run Free, Perfidia, Betcha By Golly Wow, and Aint That Loving You; and Ernie Smith, who showed that he still has some zest in his aging legs, sang his perennial favourites Bend Down, Duppy Or Gunman, and If I Could Just Have One Dream. Jah Thomas was a bit of a let-down.

Like clockwork, though, Ken Boothe was entertaining. He engaged the crowd with Freedom Street, Without Love (I Just Can't Go On), Speak Softly Love, Old Fashioned Way, done at the request of the audience, and The Train Is Coming.

But while the others provided high-quality entertainment, the veteran Derrick Morgan had the patrons feeling young again as they danced up a storm as he reeled off hit after hit from the ska era including Tougher Than Tough, Under the Coconut Tree and Conqueror. As he sang, legs were 'stepping' everywhere.

Glen Washington slowed the tempo just a bit but did not skimp on quality as he delivered Jah Glory, Strangers in the Night, No Vacancy, We Should Be Together and Woman of my Destiny.

As Washington performed, though, several members of the audience eager to see Jimmy Riley and Sibbles, started to get angry as the night was ending and they were getting tired.

Riley suffered unfairly because of that, and he did not help himself much because his performance lacked the energy needed to get the crowd back on a high.

Patrons browsing the Gleaner Company's library booth that displayed pictures of Alton Ellis dating from the '80s to date.

Pam Hall getting into her groove at the Stars 'R' Us Oldies Show

It was oldies but goodies for this couple attending the Stars 'R' Us Oldies Show.

These female patrons were feeling the musical vibes.