Soca fraternity mourns the death of Kes the Band’s Ricky Bobby

The music community and Trinidad and Tobago-based Kes the Band have expressed great shock at the death of the band’s musical director and keyboardist, Ricardo Rameshwar.

Popularly known as Ricky Bobby, the musician had an asthma attack around 7:00 am on Tuesday and was given CPR at home when he became unconscious, according to CaribbeanNationalWeekly (CNW) on Thursday. He was airlifted to the Westshore Medical Center.

His sister Janae Rameshwar said she and her family await an autopsy to confirm the cause of death, CNW said.

It said Rameshwar joined Kes Band in 2012. Before that, he spent 14 years working with Destra Garcia as the keyboardist for Atlantik and then as the musical director for her band.

“Rameshwar entered the big leagues when he auditioned for a local gig with gospel singer Helen Baylor who has Trini roots and successfully landed a spot in her band for her concert at the Hasley Crawford Stadium, Trinidad,” CNW said.

It said the musical director also worked with Sterling Gittens and Peter Regis and played at the Queen’s Tabernacle church in New York.

Trinidad and Tobago soc artist Machel Montano said on Instagram: “Rest In Peace, Ricky. Fly high, fellow Sagi. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all the teams who were blessed by his joy, laughter, and music. He will be missed.”

Destra Garcia also said on Instagram: “this one hit me like bricks. I’m numb… Heartbroken. Farewell, my brother, my friend, I’m going to miss you. Living in a world where you no longer exist breaks my heart… Thank you for a lifetime of memories. Love you forever, till we meet again. Sleep in peace my darling.”

CNW said Rameshwar was also a renowned producer, having worked as “one half of the Madmen Productions team, alongside Johann Seaton.”

“Together they produced songs such as AOA (Machel Montano) and Show Me Where Yuh From (Kes the Band),” CNW said.