RIP TABBY DIAMOND – MIGHTY DIAMONDS’ LEAD SINGER KILLED

REST IN POWER  TABBY DIAMOND [October 7, 1955 – March 29, 2022]
Sad news reached us from Jamaica today: Donald Orlando Shawaka Tabby Diamond of legendary group The Mighty Diamonds was shot dead last night in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Jamaica Gleaner (Andre Williams/Staff Reporter) reported this morning: “Reggae musician ‘Tabby Diamond’ of the legendary trio Mighty Diamonds is among two people shot dead on McKinley Crescent in the St Andrew South Police Division. Three other people were shot in the drive-by attack. The musician, whose real name is Donald Orlando Shaw, 67, was among a group seated on the roadway when they came under attack about 9:45 p.m. They were rushed to hospital by residents where Shaw and another man were pronounced dead and three other people admitted with gunshot injuries.”

Our social media feeds are overflowing with tributes from fans and colleagues:

DENNIS ALCAPONE:
“R I P Tabby Diamond.. May your Soul Forever Rest in Perfect Peace My Brother. You said When the Right Time Come But This is not the Right Time. This is very untimely and the way that These Heartless people took your life is Totally unacceptable. You spend your whole life making people Happy and This is the Reward you Get. Still can’t believe that this is the end. We Had some nice times on the Road I will Cherish Those Times .Travel Good My Brother. Mankind Mankind. Man is not Kind Anymore.”
UPDATE: “Just Got an update on the Shooting of Tabby Diamond. They said that Tabby was standing with Two other Persons  at His Gate and all three of them Got Shot and Tabby is the only one  that Died. Can you Believe it Family.”

PERFECT GIDDIMANI: 
“Oh Jamaica, why ???? U give us Legends and take them away. Rise In Power Tabby. Diamonds are forever!”

WARRIOR KING
“Jah kno!!! My friend, my brother, icon, mentor!! We have lost a great soul!! When will all this violence stop?! Im sick and I’m tired…am I supposed to be afraid to live in my own country? to sit at my own gate?
May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his family. We have lost a great soul. I will always remember all your great advice Tabby.”

MIKEY GENERAL:
“EGZIO TESEHALENE. LORD HAVE MERCY!!!One the great voices of reggae music, The legend Tabby Diamond was killed last night in a drive by shooting. He was one of the humblest artist and person l know. Recently l did some dubs for a sound with him. Soft spoken, kind, humility was his trademark. JAH blessed him him a sweet unique voice.Reggae has lost a real giant. Condolences to the family and friends. Dis yah one hot!!! RIP GREAT ICON.”

MR VEGAS:
“Walk in peace great one! Jamaica is not a real place! They killed your flesh, not your spirit! Swallowfield the battle field; Natty Dread will never run away! Hail King Tubby! You are indeed a Mighty Diamond!”

UPPSALA REGGAE FESTIVAL:
“Rest In Eternal Peace Tabby Diamond. What a sad day in life and a huge loss for Reggae in general. One of the humblest and most pleasant people to be around with, one will ever meet gets shot to death on a senseless drive-by shooting, while sitting and minding his own on a roadway with friends. ⁣Our deepest condolences to his family.”

BRIAN JAHN (Photographer):
“So sad to hear of the tragic death one of my favorite singers. I’ll miss that golden voice and big smile. Walk good Tabby”

IN THE PRESS

GRANGE CONDEMNS KILLING OF ‘TABBY’ SHAW OF THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS
[Jamaica Observer – March 30, 2022]
“The news about Tabby’s death has left me in shock. I have had a special and close relationship with the Mighty Diamonds over the years. I feel the pain of the other two Diamonds, ‘Bunny’ and ‘Judge’, who I know will never get over the loss of Tabby. I pray for strength for them always.”

MIGHTY DIAMONDS LEAD SINGER KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
[Jamaica Observer – March 30, 2022]
“Lead singer of stalwart reggae group Mighty Diamonds, Tabby Diamond was among two people killed in a drive-by shooting on McKinley Crescent in Kingston minutes before 10 on Tuesday night.”

REGGAE ICON, TABBY DIAMOND – OF THE MIGHTY DIAMONDS – KILLED IN MCKINLEY CRESCENT SHOOTING
[Nationwide 90FM – March 30, 2022]
“Sources believe Shaw may have been the target of the attack. According to Nationwide sources, one of Shaw’s close relatives has reportedly been involved in several recent shooting incidents in the community.”

MIGHTY DIAMONDS LEAD VOCALIST, ‘TABBY’, KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
[Loop News – March 30, 2022​​​​​​​]
“Speaking to Loop News on Wednesday Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson, one of the remaining members of the Mighty Diamonds, said Shaw will be missed. Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson is the other member of the group, which was formed in 1969. “Tabby was one of the great soul singers, I knew him from 1969, we did 46 albums and a whole heap of singles together; we toured the world. He will be greatly missed,” Ferguson told Loop News”

MIGHTY DIAMONDS LEAD SINGER SHOT DEAD
[Voice Online – March 30, 2022]
“IT’S BEEN reported that ‘Tabby Diamond’ real name Donald Shaw, lead singer of the Mighty Diamonds has been shot dead in Jamaica. Tabby, 67, one of three members of the legendary music group formed in 1969, is one of two people said to have been caught up in a drive-by shooting on McKinley Crescent in the St Andrew South Police Division.”

‘MIGHTY DIAMONDS’ LEAD SINGER AMONG TWO KILLED IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
[Jamaica Gleaner – March 30, 2022]
“They were rushed to hospital by residents where Shaw and another man were pronounced dead and three other people admitted with gunshot injuries.”