Legendary gospel artiste Joseph Niles gets royal send-off in Barbados

THEY CLAPPED, sang and danced to the infectious rhythms of gospel as Barbadians said farewell to the revered Joseph Niles on Sunday.

A service of national appreciation, entitled Just A Rose Will Do, took place at the Wildey Gymnasium, where hundreds came to pay their respects. It featured tributes in word and song, as well as Niles himself – albeit on a big screen – reliving his glory days.{{more}}

The biggest response came when Niles’ former Consolers bandmates rendered Royal Telephone and Walking Up The King’s Highway and almost everyone in the gymnasium got to their feet.

It was just the kind of response the only person from the region inducted into the International Gospel Hall of Fame would have wanted.

Even so, there was still an element of sadness to the event, as those close to him felt the loss of a man who had a big impact on them all. (Nationnews Barbados