Farewell to a legend: Jamaica celebrates life, legacy of Allan ‘Skill’ Cole 

Football hero, reggae visionary, and confidante of Bob Marley — Allan ‘Skill’ Cole’s life bridged the worlds of sport and music, leaving an indelible mark on Jamaica’s cultural history.

Allan ‘Skill’ Cole’s name resonates deeply within Jamaica’s twin pillars of identity — football and reggae music.

While most Jamaicans remember him for his brilliance on the football pitch, his influence stretched far beyond the field, shaping the sound and spirit of a musical revolution.

On Saturday, the National Arena became a sacred space of remembrance as musicians, athletes, and admirers gathered to celebrate the life of a man whose story embodied Jamaican greatness.

Cole, a former ‘Reggae Boy’ and one of Jamaica’s greatest-ever footballers, passed away on September 9 at the age of 74 at The University Hospital of the West Indies.

His death marked a tremendous loss not only for the sporting community but also for the world of reggae music, where he stood as a close confidante and tour manager to the legendary Bob Marley during the 1970s.

The Thanksgiving service drew an impressive lineup of Jamaican entertainers, including Carlene Davis, Stephen Marley, Beenie Man, Luciano, Tarrus Riley, Junior Reid, Bongo Herman, Dean Frazer, and Denzil ‘Dipstick’ Williams, each of whom paid heartfelt musical tributes.

Dipstick, a long-time friend of Cole, delivered a moving rendition of Joe Higgs’ Ah So It Go, transforming its politically charged lyrics into a soul-stirring message about love, loss, and the endurance of life.

“I chose this song because Joe Higgs, one of Bob Marley’s teachers, originally performed it, and I felt it captured the essence of this moment,” Dipstick explained.

He added that altering the lyrics to suit the memorial brought comfort to the mourners and made the performance deeply personal.

Reflecting on his relationship with Cole, Dipstick described him as a man of integrity and influence who stood tall among the giants of Jamaican culture.

“I was born and raised in Trench Town,” he said. “That’s where Skill used to visit Mortimer Planno — Bob Marley’s mentor — and that’s how the musical connection was forged.”

Trench Town, often regarded as the cradle of reggae, became the meeting ground for some of Jamaica’s greatest artists, including Joe Higgs, Alton Ellis, Lascelles Perkins, The Heptones, Toots Hibbert, Jimmy Cliff, Ken Boothe, and The Mighty Diamonds.

According to Dipstick, it was there that Bob Marley sought out Cole, recognizing in him a kindred spirit — one who understood both the discipline of sport and the rhythm of rebellion.

Their bond would evolve into one of mutual respect and artistic collaboration, with Cole serving as Marley’s tour manager and even earning songwriting credit on the 1976 classic War.

Cole’s loyalty ran deep.

It was he who caught Marley when the reggae icon collapsed while jogging in New York City in 1980, carrying him back to the hotel — a gesture that has since become symbolic of his devotion.

Beyond his friendship with Marley, Cole was admired for his courage in standing up against the systemic discrimination faced by Rastafarians.

Kay Osborne, former general manager of Television Jamaica, recounted Cole’s famous confrontation with RJR radio when the station refused to air Rebel Music (3 O’Clock Roadblock) because it celebrated Rastafarian ideals.

“At that time, the establishment feared the Rastafari movement,” Osborne said. “But Skill understood that reggae was not just music — it was a message to uplift the world.”

She praised him for defying censorship and helping to open the airwaves to a sound that would eventually define Jamaica’s global cultural identity.

“Allan ‘Skill’ Cole made it his mission to break through the barriers that silenced the Wailers,” she added.

Cole’s passing leaves behind his widow, Sharon Cole, and six children, but his spirit lives on in every reggae beat and every young Jamaican who dares to dream beyond limitation.

He will forever be remembered as the bridge between the pitch and the stage — a man who played both games with unmatched skill, heart, and conviction.