Music man Dread Lester dies at 54
A leading Wolverhampton musician and youth worker who worked with artists including Beverley Knight and Goldie has died suddenly.
Jamaica-born Lester Samuels, affectionately known as 'Dread Lester' due to his dreadlocks, died at his home in Newbridge on December 27.
The 54-year-old had previously been admitted to the city's New Cross Hospital after suffering arm and chest pains. .
The father-of-seven became chief engineer for the Sam Sharpe Music Project in 1993. The Broad Street recording studio was set up by the Probation Service to help young black offenders and is now based at Newhampton Arts Centre in Whitmore Reans.
The recording facilities were used by many up-and-coming groups over the years, including Babylon Zoo, Midnite Runners, Mighty Lemon Drops, and Birmingham poet Yusuf. As well as the Sam Sharpe music workshops, Mr Samuels' other initiatives included showcasing local acts, organising gigs, the music festival in East Park which became Wolvestock, and a concert night for budding female musicians.
Mr Samuels followed in the footsteps of his musician father, Joseph Samuels, who was an accomplished guitarist and banjo player in the Caribbean.
His band regularly played at banquets for big-name figures such as Jamaica's first Prime Minister, William Bustamante, James Bond creator Ian Fleming, and actor Errol Flynn.
Long-standing friend and colleague Ray Lewis, 55, said today: "Lester had a knack for bringing out the best in young people. He worked in some of the toughest youth clubs in Wolverhampton. He was a 6ft 7in tall, charismatic gentle giant." Mr Lewis, of Lower Penn, met Mr Samuels in the army cadets when he was 14. The pair later served in the Territorial Army for 10 years, before starting up a band called The Sons of David.
After leaving Jamaica for Marston Road, Wolverhampton, in 1963, Mr Samuels attended St Luke's and Graiseley primary schools.
Mr Samuels leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Shirley, and their daughters, Dania, 33, Jahmara, 27, Sherlina, 26, Dominique, 21, and Shanice, 17.
He has two daughters from a previous marriage, Melinda, 34, and Lorraine, 37, and three grandchildren. Mrs Samuels said: "He loved his community and his family. He loved life. Lester would do anything for anybody – rich or poor, black or white, it didn't matter. Everybody was equal to him." The funeral date has not yet been set.
