closing-ceremony – Michmutters

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Frederick Waite Jr dead at 55: Tributes paid to drummer of Pass the Dutchie band Musical Youth

Frederick Waite Jr dead at 55: Tributes paid to drummer of Pass the Dutchie band Musical Youth

One of the stars of a hit British band that produced one of the 1980s most seminal reggae songs has died at the age of 55.

Frederic Waite Jr was the drummer in Birmingham band Musical Youth.

The band performed their defining song, Pass the Dutchiejust days ago at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.

In 1982, the cannabis inspired anthem went to number one on the charts in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland and reached the top 10 of the US Billboard chart.

It also had a recent resurgence after featuring in the hit Netflix show Stranger Things.

On Wednesday, the ban announced the death of Waite Jr on social media.

“We are sad to announce the passing of Musical Youth’s drummer Frederick Waite Jr.

“Our thoughts go out to him and his family during this sad time. We have lost a musical legend, who inspired many young musicians over the last 40 years,” the tribute stated.

Rest in Eternal Peace.

Waite, known as “Freddie” died on July 20 in Birmingham with details only being announced now. It is not known what caused his death.

The British-Jamaican band formed in the UK’s second city in 1979.

They first performed for students at their own school, Duddeston High, in the city, reported website Birmingham Live.

Pass the Dutchie was the first single after the group signed to a major label, in their case MCA Records.

Musical Youth was the first black act to have a music video played on the then new music channel MTV.

Debut-album The Youth of Today, also released in 1982, was certified gold in the UK and Canada and spawned a number of further hit singles. Musical Youth were also nominated for a Grammy Award for best new band in 1984.

The band disbanded in 1985. Two of the band members, Dennis Seaton and Michael Grant, resurrected the band as a duo in 2001.

The band came back together for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in on July 20 as part of a celebration of Birmingham culture alongside singer Beverley Knight, the band UB40 and a TV show Peaky Blinders.

However Waite did not appear with another drummer taking his place.

Tributes have poured in for Waite with people saying it was “beyond sad,” and remembering his youth in Birmingham.

“How incredibly sad, Freddie, you inspired so many black British teenagers in the 1980s and made them realize their dreams could come true,” one said.

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Entertainment

Vanessa Amorosi stops Sunrise interview after Olivia Newton-John’s death

Vanessa Amorosi stops Sunrise interview after Olivia Newton-John's death

Australian singer Vanessa Amorosi appeared overcome with emotion and had to bow out of her live interview on Sunrise this morning, having only just learned of the death of Olivia Newton-John.

Amorosi was booked to appear on the program to discuss her new single, having just performed at the closing ceremony of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

But with Newton-John’s death aged 73 after a long cancer battle being the biggest news of the morning, Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and David Koch were keen to first ask Amorosi about her memories of the star.

“It is an incredibly sad day – Vanessa, what are your memories?” Barr asked as they crossed to the Aussie singer in Birmingham.

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“Uh… I don’t know. I don’t particularly want to think about it, because I’ll get very emotional,” Amorosi began. “I just literally had one of the highest endorphins that just happened out there (at the closing ceremony), to being extremely sad coming offstage and checking my phone. I don’t think I’ve really processed it yet.”

Koch said he’d give Amorosi a chance to “compose” her thoughts about the late music legend, and changed tack to discuss her Commonwealth Games performance and new single.

A few minutes later, and with the interview nearing its end, the hosts moved the topic of conversation back to Olivia Newton-John.

“We know it’s a sad day for you and so many people, but we wanted to show this photo from quite a few years ago of you, Olivia Newton-John and Tina Arena,” Barr said, as a photo of the three Aussie singers at the Sydney 2000 Olympics appeared on screen.

“Can you talk us through those memories, that time, Vanessa?”
Amorosi gave it her best – but soon became overcome with emotion.

“Both of these women I have looked up to since (I was) a kid… I don’t know. I’m actually very sad about Olivia, to be honest. It’s..”

With that, she bowed her head and raised her hand, signaling the interview to stop.

Barr and Koch thanked her for her time – and Barr noted how hard it must’ve been to learn the news between a live performance and a live TV interview.

“I’m horrible. I feel for her, after coming off that.”

It’s been an emotional morning on breakfast television as friends, colleagues and fans of Newton-John have reacted to the news of her death in real time, after it broke at around 5:30am AEST.

Over on Nine, veteran entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins at first held it together as he reported the sad news on Today – but later in the morning, he was overcome with emotion, sobbing as host Karl Stefanovic rushed to comfort him.

And back on Sunriseanother emotional live interview, this time on the streets of Los Angeles with Grease casting director Joel Thurm, who wept openly as he described his fond memories of Newton-John.

The British-born, Melbourne-raised entertainer had waged a decades-long battle against cancer, which returned again in 2013.

In May 2017, she announced her breast cancer had returned and metastasized to her sacrum, and in 2018, it was revealed she was again battling the disease.

In October last year, Newton-John revealed that she was battling Stage 4 breast cancer but was managing the pain with medical marijuana.

Then today came the news fans had been fearing for years: Newton-John had died at her Southern Californian ranch, surrounded by loved ones, including her husband, John Easterling, and daughter, Chloe Lattanzi.

Chloe has today paid tribute to her late mum on social media – who she just days ago referred to as her “best friend.”

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Sports

Commonwealth Games live: Australia finishes atop Birmingham 2022 medal tally as closing ceremony hands over to Victoria 2026

Commonwealth Games live: Australia finishes atop Birmingham 2022 medal tally as closing ceremony hands over to Victoria 2026

The closing ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has officially begun after 11 days of history-making sporting moments.

It comes after the Kookaburras won their seventh consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in the men’s hockey final, beating India 7-0 to give Australia its 67th and final gold of the Games.

Follow the closing ceremony live, see our athletes’ personal reflections of the Games and share your top moments from Birmingham 2022 by hitting the blue “leave a comment” button below.

live updates

By Kelsie Iorio

Our athletes: Clay Mason Stephens

Clay’s unwaveringly positive attitude (and incredible cork hat) really stood out to me these Games.

He said after his all-around final that despite missing out on a medal, he “enjoyed (it) regardless of the result because I chose to do so.” Something we can all take with us!

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By Kelsie Iorio

The athletes enter Alexander Stadium

Diver and Birmingham gold medalist Melissa Wu carried the Australian flag for us—this is her fifth Commonwealth Games.

Lots of athletes on Team Australia and from other nations have already gone home, so the closing ceremony is a little more casual. But it looks like they’re having fun.

By Jon Healey

Kashmir?

Sooooo, we have some more industrial workers doing some ‘Look down, look down’ type pushing and pulling of a very big metal structure. Looks like some sort of Mount Midoriyama.

But they’re playing Kashmir by Led Zeppelin, so all I can think of is this scene from Ocean’s 12.

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Ohhhhhhhhh, it’s a worker shortage. They couldn’t lift it by themselves, and then a huge influx of immigrant families have arrived to help them lift the big horizontal metal thing into a big vertical metal thing.

It lights up with the word “TOGETHER”, pointing to Birmingham’s famed multicultural diaspora.

Performers lift a metal structure at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
(Getty)

By Kelsie Iorio

Our athletes: Kaye Scott 🥈

Referees stopped the 38-year-old’s gold medal bout in the light middleweight boxing division, putting a quick end to her hopes for gold.

But her Birmingham silver is still one-up on her Gold Coast bronze since 2018, and as she says herself: “Silver isn’t too bad.”

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By Jon Healey

Come On Eileen kicks us off

After a recreation of Birmingham rebuilding and industrializing after World War II, Dexys Midnight Runners are out there doing their banger while dancers… work on an Amazon production line?

A man wearing unique attire sings into a microphone.
(Supplied: Seven Network)

Now they’re on the beers?! Lord Bezos won’t approve of that.

Performers hold up pints of beer during the Birmingham Commonwealth Games closing ceremony.
Rapidly, rapidly.(Getty)

By Kelsie Iorio

Our athletes: Tinka Easton 🥇

Tinka won Australia’s first gold medal in judo in two decades on her Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham.

She says herself there are still big things coming — so it sounds like this won’t be the last we see of her.

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By Kelsie Iorio

Our athletes: Cedric Dubler 🥉

Cedric made headlines in Tokyo for his selfless drive that helped Ash Moloney to a bronze medal—well, this time, he’s got one of his own.

He stood alongside teammate and silver medalist Daniel Golubovic on the podium and says he’s “hungry for more”… or will, be after a nap. I’d be going for a lie-down after that too, mate.

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By Kelsie Iorio

Your thoughts on the Games:

Hey Jon 🙂 Hey Kelsie 🙂 I can’t recall a Comm games more awesome to watch than 2022.

-Natty

It’s been a good one, hey?

australian cricketers give each other a double high five
(Getty Images)

By Jon Healey

Our athletes: Emma McKeon 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥈🥉

What more can be said about this woman?

The swimming may feel like a lifetime ago, but six gold medals, one silver and one bronze in Birmingham is a pretty timeless achievement.

It adds to her haul from Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018, giving her TWENTY Commonwealth Games medals. The most of any athlete in history.

And let’s not forget she’s also Australia’s most decorated Olympian, with five golds and 11 medals overall. to freak.

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By Kelsie Iorio

Our athletes: Isabella Vincent

One of the babies of the Australian team and still in high school, Birmingham was Izzy’s first Commonwealth Games — but likely won’t be her last.

She says it’s been “an honor to rep the green and gold”and we hope to see this SA-based Para-swimmer again in Victoria in 2026!

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By Kelsie Iorio

Your thoughts on the Games:

Well donate all Australian athletes. I am so proud of you all. Each of you have given your all for our wonderful country.

-Lesley

We’re with you, Lesley!

Tell us your favorite moments of the games by hitting the blue comment button above ☝️

two australian athletes smile and wave on a podium wearing gold medals
Getty Images

By Kelsie Iorio

One final look at the medal tally

commonwealth games medal table with australia at the top followed by england canada india new zealand

It ended up pretty close — but Australia retains its place at the top of the tally with an incredible 67 gold, 57 silver and 54 bronze.

By Jon Healey

Key Event

🥈 Table tennis: Australia falls short in women’s doubles final

Table tennis players Jian Fang Lay and Minhyung Jee smile with their hands on their hips on the podium at the Commonwealth Games.
(AP)

Jian Fang Lay and Minhyung Jee were beaten 3-0 by Singapore pair Tianwei Feng and Jian Zeng.

Singapore started how they intended to go on, winning the first game 11-1. The last two were more contested, but both ended 11-8 in the favor of the Singaporeans.

Jee and Lay won bronze in the women’s team event last week as part of a six-medal haul for our table tennis team.

By Jon Healey

Key Event

🥈🥉 Diving: Silver and bronze in mixed events

Shixin Li and Maddison Keeney grab the back of their legs as they flip during a synchronized dive.
(AP)

last night Shixin Li and Maddison Keeney picked up silver in the mixed 3m springboard synchronized event.

They finished just 1.98 points behind winners Scotland, as both Aussie divers picked up their third medals of this Games.

climbing higher, Cassiel Rousseau and Emily Boyd added bronze in the synchro off the tall tower.

It’s Boyd’s first medal in Birmingham, while Rousseau added to his 10m gold and men’s 10m synchro bronze.

Emily Boyd and Cassiel Roussea touch their toes during a synchronized dive.
(AP)

By Jon Healey

Key Event

🥇 Hockey: Kookaburras maintain Commonwealth dominance against India

An Australian hockey player smiles and pumps his fists while holding a hockey stick.
(Getty)

SEVEN!

The Australian men’s hockey team have won Commonwealth Games gold seven straight times.

This time they did it with a thumping 7-0 win (how fitting) over India.

Jacob Anderson and Nathan Ephraums scored doubles, usual suspects Flynn Ogilvie and Blake Govers got on the board too, as well as Tom Wickham.

It’s Australia’s 67th and final gold medal in Birmingham.

By Jon Healey

It’s almost over, fam

Hello and welcome to this, our final blog of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

We’ve got a couple of medals to wrap up before the closing ceremony, and we’ll also bring you some athletes’ reflections on the 2022 Games.

Leave a comment and have a chat with us using that button up there!

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