Guyanese singer Johnny Braff was yesterday remembered as a “celebrity” performer, who lived life as a free spirit and brought joy to fans both at home and abroad for decades.
The singer, whose birth name was John Randolph Massiah Critchlow-Brathwaite, died at the age of 82 on August 29th at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
The life of Braff, known for songs such as “It Burns Inside” and “I Don’t Care,” was celebrated at a homegoing service held at the Franklin Talbot Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Festival City, North Ruimveldt.
Sophia Brathwaite, his eldest child, said had he been alive today, the words “I enjoyed meh life” would have been uttered.
Braff became a singing sensation and a household name locally and abroad during the 1960s and 1970s. In the prime of his musical career, he opened for many American artistes, including Chubby Checker.
While reading his eulogy, Braithwaite recalled that he performed in the North America, Europe and the Caribbean. He also headlined and performed at shows on international cruise ships.
“My father loved singing and entertainment… During his career, which spanned over three decades, he brought joy and happiness to millions of fans in Guyana and around the world,” she shared.
In May of this year he was awarded the Medal of Service for his contribution to the local music scene.
The singer’s daughter told this publication, “He lived as a celebrity and that what he always say—he is a celebrity. So he lived his life free. Everywhere he go around the world he lived his life. He would leave everything behind and move to the next place.”
She added, “He was a ‘don’t care’ person but he had women that loved him and look after my father. They give him everything he wanted but he just wanted to live free. That [was] him. He [was] a free-spirited person, he loved life and that is how he lived,” she reminisced.
The daughter related that despite her overseas-based siblings’ protests to keep their father with them, he chose to return home to Guyana. He had been residing here for the past five years.
“In spite of all the preparations that his children had made to take care of dad as any child should take care of their parent, he did things his way, which is not always the best way,” she said.
Braff lived at the Palms Geriatric Home in the three months leading up to his death and had also previously stayed at the Night Shelter. On the announcement of his passing, many Guyanese took to social media to show love, appreciation and extend their condolences to the family.
Braithwaite said she had a good relationship with her father and noted that his teachings had made her the woman she is today. “My relationship with him, it was good but as parent and child we had our disagreements,” she said.
She recalled that her father would always tell her “that I must stand up to my troubles and don’t run from it because I am a powerful but beautiful person. I loved that, and lived for it and it is because of him,” she recollected.
“The way he lived his life, you read from that and you learn from that. You tell yourself you have to do better and that is why I am this power person. I loved my father and I know my father loved me,” she added.
During the service, several attendees shared tributes in which they reflected on Braff’s the personality and life.
He was laid to rest at Le Repentir Cemetery.
