Barbadian Lou “Jiggs” Kirton, one of the well-known singers emerging from the 1970s and 1980s, has died. The 73-year-old who lived in the United States is best remembered for his soulful I Can’t Live Without and rhythmic Talk to Me, but was one of the original members and the lead singer of The Invitations (replacing Herman Colefield), a popular soul group that also featured Gary Gant, Bill Morris and Robert Rivers
(January 22, 2022) Today we say a sad goodbye to singer and drummer Lew Kirton, known for a string of hits on Miami’s TK Records in the late 70s and early 80s.
Born in the Caribbean, Kirton (then known as “Jiggs Kirton”) first came to the attention of music fans as the lead singer of The Invitations (replacing Herman Colefield), a popular soul group that also featured Gary Gant, Bill Morris and Robert Rivers. They had some moderate hits with “They Say The Girl’s Crazy” and “Look On The Good Side,” before Kirton moved over to TK Records for a solo career.
On TK, Kirton scored a hit with a cover of Hall & Oates’ “Do What You Want, Be What You Are,” on which he showed off his powerful lead vocals, somewhat reminiscent of The Dramatics’ LJ Reynolds. Even bigger was his upbeat, horn-filled dance song, “Heaven In The Afternoon.”
Kirton moved to MCA records and continued to record solo through the mid-80s, while also performing as a guest vocalist with other acts.
After years out of the spotlight, Kirton’s music was rediscovered by fans via reissues of his TK work by Expansion Records. Kirton then went back to the studio, and independently issued new music on the albums Forever in 2005 and So Into You in 2010, still sounding fantastic. Rest in peace. Mr. Kirton.
It was only in July last year that news was circulating of his death.
His wife Maureen Kirton confirmed at that time that contrary to reports out of the United States, where they reside, Kirton had not passed.
“My husband is alive and well and alert and I’m going to see him. Yes, he’s in the hospital but it is nothing that he’s not moving. I want everyone to know that he alive and talking.”
That was July and to the sadness of his fans a few months later we are getting the news of his passing.
