Jiggerboots recalls the good times

Wilmoth "Jiggerboots" Alexander

The name Wilmoth Alexander is probably not likely to ring any bells.  But the nickname “Jiggerboots” just might.

He is one of those roaming the streets of the capital stretching out the begging bowl, hoping to be able to knock a few coins together in his daily survival bid.

Wilmoth “Jiggerboots” Alexander is another of those lost Dominican musicians who eventually fell by the wayside, allegedly because of the use of drugs.

Asked about this he says his demise came because of “jealousy”,  without elaborating.

He says he got labeled “Jiggerboots” because it was his calypso name.

While many may consider him nothing but a “Paro”, Jiggers as his friends call him, was once an integral part of one of the bands helping push cadence-lypso music – Liquid Ice.

Jiggers was the drummer, and from all accounts was a fairly good one.

“I started drumming from a little boy, you check?  Naturally I was born a musician, so man start to play drums, guitar first,” he told DNO.

Of his stint with Liquid Ice he recalls “everything was good everything come out all right eh”.

And in respect of his drumming skills Jiggers says he played all kinds of music.

He describes his involvement in the music business in the past as “the greatest thing man”.

The Newtown lad’s best memory of being in Liquid Ice was touring, going to a number of islands including neighboring  Guadeloupe.

“Yeh man, Guadeloupe, good times all about” he chants smilingly.

Liquid Ice Bassman Davidson Riviere describes Jiggerboots as a “very good drummer”.

He recalls that Guadeloupe Recording Studio owner Henri Debs, who recorded the cadence music of most of the Dominican bands,  had great respect for Jiggers, always boasting of him as “one of the best cadence drummers around” at the time.

Riviere says Jiggers was well respected, a humorous, charming guy, a good performer who never got upset.

The former band colleague told DNO that Jiggerboot’s demise began when the band (Liquid Ice) broke up and he became depressed over that development.

Today the former musician dressed haphazardly in his raggedy clothes is another of those really good musicians who fell by the wayside and can be found begging on the streets of the capital.

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94 Comments

  1. April 17, 2012

    Thanks for the info Marlpardee , that’s the guy i wanted to know about.

  2. savedmusic
    April 16, 2012

    I am not say that this is the cause of anything but. can somebody please tell me why the government says the tourism is one of our main source of income. and they dont recorgnize that music is part of culture. food part of culture. and at the same time to import instruments is like buying them three times.u can imagine young musicians can get better because they cant afford an instrument…lol sick isnt it..

    • savedmusic
      April 16, 2012

      and in this mans case i hope he gets out of his situation for wat ever the reason is that he is in the position

  3. Dominican to de bone
    April 16, 2012

    Yes rehabilitation programs wonderful idea.

  4. #DR.home#
    April 14, 2012

    Tnks 4 d info dno

  5. #DR.home#
    April 14, 2012

    Tnks dno 4 such info made available on pple who ar important bt nt alwys been notice or seen da way

  6. 7
    April 14, 2012

    good to know about these guys.i see dem on the street and often wonder wat was their life like b4 they started lukin like this.

  7. watt la
    April 14, 2012

    Thomas Henderson was also one of the notorious musicians in the seventies.He played bass for a few bands in Antigua. He frequently begs at the front of the bank.He Avril Henderson’s brother.

  8. April 14, 2012

    As for Deazzie ,As for Deazzie my God .

  9. April 14, 2012

    I am so sad to read this about Jiggerboots AKA jiggers.Yah man he was very good Drummer.I remember him well active in music scene and being in Grandbay AKA sout nuff times .He was also a scout iam sure most people dont remember.

    • Anonymous
      April 14, 2012

      Dats gud info many of us didnt kno about i only knew him as wat he appear 2b nw bt hpin dat tings can change 4d best 4 him n others

  10. no name
    April 14, 2012

    Best drummer ever, and like Ras he was a loving guy as well. I remember them practicing in our garage when Liqiud Ice was the band and he was one to reckon with. good old Jiggers

    • Josette
      April 14, 2012

      Sorry No Name, Henry already has the ‘Best drummer ever’ title…. try another title for my boy Jiggers.

  11. April 14, 2012

    There was this guy called Papain or something like that ,i would really like know about him ,really and so true Dominica had some greats .So sad to see the brothers in that state.

    • Marlpardee
      April 16, 2012

      Is this guy tall and skinny? Depends on the pronounciation of his name, i think i might have info for u. If he is not too old then he is the guy u are looking for. He is in florida , he playsnin s band.

      • Marlpardee
        April 16, 2012

        Typo error . Meant he plays in a band.

  12. Anonymous
    April 14, 2012

    this man is not a paro, but mentally ill.

  13. Correction
    April 14, 2012

    Not making light of it but…Jiggers’ situation is not due to use of drugs. Purely chemical imbalance (which saddly Dr’s in D/a still can’t diagnose & treat as such -they treat chemical imbalance as moun foo), and as his bandsman Davidson said depression over or after the breakup of Liquid Ice band. Not the same as ‘Rats’ who was affected by drugs/parro. The difference shows on their faces. Bamm!

    • Just Adding!
      April 14, 2012

      You are right Wilmoth is not a druggie. He has a loving family who takes care of him.

  14. paker
    April 14, 2012

    I do hope that the young musicans can see what DRUGS can do and learn from those who fall by the way side. Good job DNO

  15. Justice and Truth
    April 13, 2012

    It appears that he was a forgotten man until DNO posted his profile. He is a gifted man whose talent is being wasted. He should be rehabilitated and return to the limelight of his drumming. Can the government assist him?

    • Ice
      April 15, 2012

      That is a very good and positive idea :)

  16. tect nee cal lity
    April 13, 2012

    DNO take your flowers,positive vibes, hope a positive results can follow, we sure would like to see these guys on there feet again.(if you know what i mean)

  17. Dominican by Birth
    April 13, 2012

    when the band broke up Jigger drum set witch was his personal belonging was sold that started his downfall, its not every person that roam the street is as a result of drugs, its sometimes because of wicked fellow human.Dominican

  18. Peeping Tom
    April 13, 2012

    You know, DNO, i suspect that these stories will bring a new level of empathy and respect from the public towards those highlighted. Congrats. Keep them coming!

  19. burt dave
    April 13, 2012

    I hope this will give those who did not know this gentleman an altrenate view of him,once a great ambassador of Dominican culture, he fell through the cracks and have not yet recovered. I have had short interactions with him and find him to be despite his state a rather friendly person. Who knows maybe one day id liquid ice come together to do a session and he is included that may just be the therapy he needs to rediscover his life long passion of beating the CADENCE LYPSO DRUMS. jUST A THOUGHT WORTH TRYING TIM AND THE OTHER LIQUID ICE MUSICIAN

  20. Prophet2
    April 13, 2012

    Saint Lucia has a new mental wellness centre, perhaps DNO and others can now raise funds to send them there. It’s not too late to help free them from mental slavery, we are our brothers’ keepers.

    Nuff respect to DNO for shedding light on this dark side of Dominica…what we ignore today will eventually come and bite us tomorrow.

  21. unkown
    April 13, 2012

    keep them coming , yellow next, although she had her stories in the news paper sometime ago but some people maybe forget or dont know about her life

    • Ice
      April 15, 2012

      Sorry I never got to read it could you direct me to the link ?

      • Marlpardee
        April 16, 2012

        I would really like to read about yellow.

  22. go
    April 13, 2012

    DNO i would be happy if an article is written on ‘yellow’ although she practically lives on the streets she seem to have a sense of style – with her dressing even her lil accessories.

    i would like to know more bout her.

  23. Ellen Evaline Paul
    April 13, 2012

    The writer(s) of these articles seem to have a keen interest of musicians who have fallen on the wayside. I have a suggestion. Why don’t we continue to seek out the fallen musicians, make an effort to get them out from the streets and give them another opportunity to make a positive contribution. Maybe jiggers(my boy) i’m a Newtown passie can teach the little boys to play drums. I’m volunteering some time once we get committed people. Good job DNO keep seeking out the men with potential. If you are still asking where are our men, well they have been let down by society. Let’s help them to make a change once more.

    • Unbiased Successor.
      April 13, 2012

      Respect those encouraging words of wisdom.Maybe the writer should put his/her self in Mr Jigger boots position and ask the question.What can I do to help? rather than cashing in on their stories.

    • Peeping Tom
      April 13, 2012

      I love this idea. It oozes positivity!

    • Hello There
      April 13, 2012

      Ellen that was just what I was thinking. Getting the fallen ones together and help them to clean themselves up and let them get back a love of wht they enjoyed doing. We could help them get back some self esteem. We should be pulling up our bro and not dragging them more. Compassion

  24. Newtowner
    April 13, 2012

    good to see my boy Jiggers.Everytime jiggers would see me he always wanted a little change. Always wondered about his where abouts. Thanks for the update DNO.

  25. CHANGE
    April 13, 2012

    Very good story. The ministry of health or even the private sector should consider rehabilitation programs. Do some research..get Ross university input. Our culture is too negative about the demise of such individuals. So sad to see talents and educated people like Lincoln and Irish on the streets/ Lets use our resources!!

    • Holiday Island Man
      April 13, 2012

      “…….get Ross University input.” “Lets use our resources.” Is there a conflict here?

    • Old School
      April 14, 2012

      The Scoutmaster Mr. Bonti Liverpool has a program for them on High Street. I see men who was on drugs get themselves rehabilitated there.

  26. April 13, 2012

    im hoping that the intention behind the interviews are geared toward evelating these young men and not belittling then like we sometimes do…i relly feel for them at time becuase they are fathers , sons and belong to us as a society….especially jiggerboots…he is really one of my favorites….but im hoping that buy handing him a dollar or two in not helping digg his grave….

    • Justice and Truth
      April 13, 2012

      @ wapap

      You are correct. People should not laugh at them and speak ill of them. We must be compassionate and consider ourselves for who knows what will happen to us in the future?
      His life is as precious as ours. He should be helped to return to being a drummer. Sometimes they are crying out for help but there is no one to help them.

  27. Zandoli
    April 13, 2012

    More articles like this DNO… Great Work!!!

  28. african queen
    April 13, 2012

    well am happy to read but after posting all this with mr shilling ford and now mr Alexhander i hope that their is something in the making for them like taking them off the streets and find them homes and of the drugs so i hoping that a few good folks including myself will start a foundation open plegde,it is sure not to late for them and i MUST SAY THEY BOTH LOOKI DAMM HANDSOME and can’t still make a contribution to DOMINICA.

  29. Seriously
    April 13, 2012

    Really! The writer of this article refered to Jiggerboots as a ‘lad’ Am I the only one who finds the use of the word lad to be a bit strange? :roll:

    • Teresa
      April 13, 2012

      Only you. It’s a good English word to describe someone you knew as a “yout”.

  30. Rastafari
    April 13, 2012

    Sad to see another brother gone because of a dangerous and growing habit. In retrospect, Joggers was well respected and a great talent.

    • Rastafari
      April 13, 2012

      I stand corrected “Jiggers”

  31. Dominican
    April 13, 2012

    Thanks for the stories. It is actually quite an eye opener. So many of us see these “paro” as less than human.

    How do we help keep young people from turning to drugs and becoming a waste to themselves. I’m sure there are several right now, about which stories will be written in the years to come.

    DA has a very serious drug problem…

  32. En Ba La
    April 13, 2012

    I remember him when I was child growing up in Grand Bay – he used to come to Grand Bay and practice with a band – I am not sure if it was with Groovers or one of the other bands.

  33. Kubulian
    April 13, 2012

    I remember Wilmoth very well ; in the 70’s when he was a member of Liquid Ice.

    Even then, he was already somewhat “out of the way”.

    Once I saw him roaming around in Guadeloupe, obviously under the effect of herbs

    • herbalist
      April 13, 2012

      how can u say under the effect of herbs,u dissing the almighty creator

      • TeteMorne I from...
        April 13, 2012

        8-O

    • go
      April 13, 2012

      herbs dont let u loose your mind. its the crack which does that

      • Prophet2
        April 13, 2012

        The Herb is a gateway to Crack if you can’t control your cravings.

      • Anonymous
        April 13, 2012

        Herbs don,t make you lose your mind but is surely slow it down. for many hard core drugs users started on drugs like marijuana slow slows the functioning of the brain and mind

        And that,s scientifically proven

      • Anonymous
        April 13, 2012

        marijuana don,t make you lose your mind but it sure slows it down- it is the first step to losing yourself to drugs completely –

    • deesseafricaine
      April 13, 2012

      under the influence of herb??? herb has never ever and will never make someone go mad. dont bad mouth herb like that. instead of bad mouthing herb worry about how cocaine and other drugs are ruining lives. thats the real devil

    • Joe
      April 14, 2012

      Alcohol is the gateway to them all!
      But u can’t touch it, can you Kubulian?

  34. Missy
    April 13, 2012

    Thanks for sharing this DNO. Can you do this with more of the homeless people on the streets? Sometimes, we look at people as out cast because we don’t know their struggles. This is very sad indeed. I wish there was a rehad center he could go to, to get cleaned up and make his way back in life/ society. All the best

  35. Amazed
    April 13, 2012

    WAW!!! I think DNO should continue this because until now….i never knew this man was a musician….i see him walking the streets cool and calm but never knew….hmmm smh….behind every man there is a story…make me remember a talent by one of the queen contestants some years ago…everybody is somebody.

  36. bread n butter
    April 13, 2012

    Great Article again DNO!!!
    But I believe you should do that on a weekly basic!! A new person every Wednesday or Friday would make it even more entertaining and interesting to the public!! And it don’t have to be only Musicians but Sporting peeps also!!!

    • 3-- solution's
      April 14, 2012

      :) :-D :wink: :( :lol: 8) :mrgreen: :?: :oops: :lol: 8-O :wink: :wink: :-D :) 8) :-? :-| :-P :-P

      ———-ALL TOGETHER LETS MAKE MUSIC———–

      ——–GIF THEM RESPECT BACK ———–

  37. enough
    April 13, 2012

    Job Well Done DNO, Not only the “Hibacarrous” in society but the fallen who have also helped propel Dominica to where it is

    • 3-- solution's
      April 14, 2012

      -:lol: 8) :?: :lol: 8) :oops: :lol: :wink: ———–NOW WE NEED TEAMWORK ————-
      TO GET THEM BACK ON TRACK 8) 8) :lol: :lol:

      ———- HELP ————
      BOYS COME ON :wink: :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol:

  38. Anonymous
    April 13, 2012

    hummmmmmmm, true saying behind every face there is a story…

  39. Roz
    April 13, 2012

    From the way i seeing it, them can put a band together man? Rats on keyboard, Jiggers on drums, Yellow on vocals…that can be their rehab man?

    • EB
      April 13, 2012

      Very interesting comment; this may just be the way to go for these three and one or two others if there are anymore musicians in this situation

      • Simple.
        April 13, 2012

        Yes there is Mervin Delsol the original bass man for Rough n Ready. Something should be done to help these fellas.

    • Jane
      April 13, 2012

      oh yes….and Deazzie in massacre , another great drummer

    • kit
      April 13, 2012

      @ Roz u make my day…lol…dat was a good one..hahah..that would be a perfect band!!! hahahah

    • Dumber
      April 13, 2012

      Archie would be glad to play the brass.

      • Ice
        April 16, 2012

        Yes I remeber Archie how is he doing ?

  40. True Dat
    April 13, 2012

    Great Job Dno. Next time you should feature Billy “Flag” Fontaine from Fond St Jean whowas a good musician and is now a Paro.

  41. Trek
    April 13, 2012

    DNO whose next? Is it yellow. If do prepare to write a movie because yellow have a biography. If you don’t you get it right yellow will destroy you guys “WITHOUT SIGNAL”

  42. Marcus Hill
    April 13, 2012

    Great Job DNO!!!

    kepp it up!!

  43. Well Said
    April 13, 2012

    That’s the only “Paro” I can give my money

  44. vex
    April 13, 2012

    The problem with us in Dominica is that we crown people as good when. Before a guy even know about an instrument the guy is good.

    • gooseberry
      April 13, 2012

      very true.

  45. Papa Dom
    April 13, 2012

    Yeh, I remember hima s the Liquid ice drummer and the whole thing begining after the band broke up. I also remember if I’m not mistaken that his mum was a bit “crack” as they say “fou calm” so maybe it was a genetic thing rather than drugs.

    • baby
      April 13, 2012

      WHERE IS MUM COMING IN THAT, U PPL MUST LEARN TO BEHAVE ALL SELF. I KNOW HIS WHOLE FAMILY

      • eXperienced
        April 13, 2012

        The guy simply suggested that probably genetics came to play as part of his downfall. I think its a valid observation…These things do happen my friend.

      • Teresa
        April 13, 2012

        The person mentioned his mother as a reference to the possible origin of his mental condition, rather than drugs. Just as a point of interest for discussion. No insult intended, I’m sure.

      • Papa Dom
        April 13, 2012

        Sorry people but I wasn’t saying anything bad about his mum, rather just trying to say that his demise wasn’t due to drug use. Once again I’m sorry for causing an offence.

    • AND
      April 13, 2012

      PAPA DOM

      LET GET SOMETHING STRAIGHT, THAT IS ONE PARO AS WE DOMINICAN SAY THAT HAS HIS WHOLE FAMILY BEHIND HIM. PEOPLE CANNOT DO WHAT THEY WANT WITH HIM HIS FAMILY STAND WITH HIM, THEY MAKE NOISE WITH HIM, FOR HIM TO CHANGE BUT FEED HIM ALL THE TIME. I KNOW THEM LOVING FAMILY AND WHERE DOES HIS MUM COMING INTO THAT, GET TO KNOW HIS FAMILY AND U WILL SEE,

      • Papa Dom
        April 13, 2012

        sorry,sorry, sorry and sorry again.

  46. April 13, 2012

    knew this drummer as a kid.he could really drum.there should be a program to get our people out of this bondage.crack kills.

  47. April 13, 2012

    Alas Boy that’s just something else very sad indeed.

    • 3-- solution's
      April 13, 2012

      —–#—BRING THEM ALL TOGETHER AND ——–

      #–Just MAKE MUSIC on the top off “scots-head”!!!!
      #–put the session on facebook !!!
      Music is live !!!!
      AND you feel good :lol: :lol: :lol:

  48. bassie
    April 13, 2012

    But he can change can’ː̗̀†ː̖́ he??

  49. dominican/road
    April 13, 2012

    WOW CANT EVEN REMEMBER SEEING THIS MAN ON THE STREET BUT I AM HAPPY TO SEE HIM AND KNOW A NAME FOR HIM SO NEXT TIME I AM IN DOMINICA WHICH WILL BE SOON I WILL SURE LOOK FOR HIM AND CALL HIM BY THE NAME BECAUSE I HATE CALLING PPL HEY OR YOW

  50. Anonymous
    April 13, 2012

    good talent gone to waste but he can make a come back

    • babygirl
      April 13, 2012

      HE DID MAKE A COME BACK ANONYMOUS ONCE , BUT PUT HIS SELF RIGHT BACK, AND I KNOW WHO GAVE IT TO HIM, THAT IS HIS NIECE SPEAKING.

      • blatant
        April 13, 2012

        who gave what to him???

  51. Anonymous
    April 13, 2012

    thanks for the info Dno

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