Bill “Blade” Howell’s book Pinnacle shares the history of both Rastafari and Jamaica through an intensely personal lens.
Kirkus wrote of the book:
“A son of one of the founders of the Rastafarian movement tells the inside story of the utopian village his father founded and the colonial forces that ultimately destroyed it. Born and raised at Pinnacle, Howell had the unique opportunity to witness the events surrounding this first-ever Rasta community’s rise and fall. Working alongside his father’s biographer, Lee, the author offers insights into Leonard Howell (1898-1981), the man who founded the commune, and the troubled history of Pinnacle itself . . . Illustrated throughout with black-and-white photographs, this loving tribute will appeal to historians of Jamaica and the Caribbean, as well as anyone with an interest in the origins of Rastafarian culture. An instructive and enlightening book.”
In his own words, here is Bill “Blade” Howell’s Book Notes music playlist for his book Pinnacle: The Lost Paradise of Rasta:
1. Count Ossie:
“Another Moses” is a call for Jah/God/the Universe to send someone to deliver the poor, hard-working people from oppression, suffering and into salvation. We work day and night, oftentimes in brutal conditions, but still have little to show for our efforts. I think the people of Pinnacle looked, if not to my father, then surely to the living God he preached about – Emporer Haile Selassie – as the one to lead us into the “Promise Land”… whether that’s in peace of mind and heart or an actual, physical place – such as where Pinnacle was heading before the government’s and greedy landowners’ subterfuge.
“Rock A Man Soul” is yet another variation of a popular spiritual that has been recorded by different artists over time. It is a means of expressing faith, resilience, and hope amidst immense suffering. My father knew the Bible inside and out and many of his “Rasta teachings” would draw inspiration from the Bible. This song of Count Ossie makes reference to “the Bosom of Abraham,” a concept rooted in the Old Testament, describing a place of comfort and rest for the righteous who seek refuge in a higher power during times of distress and despair. There’s no doubt in my mind that this hymnal/spiritual was often in the minds of our people (Pinnacle people) when only faith could carry us through. It surely was in my mind.
“Blue Beat” aka “Old Carolina” takes me back to the fun of my youth. The parties… the dances… first crushes (and heartbreaks) and just being able to not have to think about the politics happening in and around Pinnacle and my father.
2. Prince Buster:
“Take it Easy” was one of those songs they would play at parties after I left Pinnacle that would help ease my mind and make me feel “normal.” As long as a rocksteady groove was pumping, I could forget about the wild, dangerous, and uncertain adventure that was my life.
“Never Never” another rocksteady groove that gave me hope for a more positive outcome in my own life after the tragedy of Pinnacle
“Time Longer Than Rope” although a great song, it reminds me of all the times when I was shunned by so-called friends, and even girlfriends, after they found out who my father was. I felt isolated and misunderstood but this song felt like it was telling my story.
“King of Kings” is a self-affirmation song. I am King! And that’s not to discredit anyone else’s sense of worth but it is to justify the God in oneself. That is what being a Rasta means… to find the God or King within YOU and to carry yourself as such. And if we could all do that (no matter our status in life) we could elevate ourselves, first from within, and then beyond.
3. The Skatalites:
They were an amazing group of musical geniuses in their own right. My own dreams of playing the guitar was dashed after an unfortunate accident with a machete but I’ve always admired musicians who take their craft seriously. Although the Skatalites laid many background instrumentals for a plethora of more famous musicians, they later formed their own band and began to tour. “Skamania,” “Lucky Seven” and “Yard Boom” are just a few examples of their “feel good” vibe, inspiration and musicality. I’ve always enjoyed their music, even if they started as only “background musicians.” There’s always a lighthearted but deep and spiritual element to their music. I guess you can say that in their case, “the stone that the builder refused, will always be the head cornerstone,” so to speak.
“Rough and Tough” – This song was one of the most popular songs I would dance to. I would sweep the floor with most of the women at the dance.. even with my brother’s girlfriend. She was a fantastic dancer as well but my brother didn’t dance so much.
4. Bob Dylan:
“Mr. Tambourine Man” – I would hear this song at night sometimes when I ate my dinner in the home of a woman who took me in after we were forced out of Pinnacle. I would sit and listen to Dylan sing my sorrow – for my lost homeland and paradise, my scattered family… and my guiding hope that tomorrow’s sun would bring brighter days.
“It’s All Right Ma” – This song was like a battle cry to me… a call to action… an inspiration to pick myself up from the predicament I was in and to not let it hold me back from achieving my destiny. It was also an internal vow to my mother, who died before I could even develop a memory of her, that I would make her proud of her baby boy.
“Mr. Bojangles” the man in this song lives his life on his own terms. Yes, he has troubles – after 20 years he still mourns the death of his dog and he’s most likely an alcoholic, but he’s still satisfied with what little happiness life still offers him. The fact that he’s referred to as “Mr” is a testament that he is still given a modicum of respect by society, despite his low class. It just means that in life, despite our trials and tribulations, we can always find a glimmer of happiness, if we desire to seek it.
5. Bob Marley:
“Redemption Song” is the quintessential song of uplifting yourself through any and all circumstances… to always keep the faith and trod on.
“Jammin” is a song about togetherness and the joy of community. That’s what we had at Pinnacle. Although there were thousands of us, spread out throughout the property, we were all like family to each other. To this day, I’m always the happiest when I’m surrounded by my family.
“Buffalo Soldier” speaks to my being displaced from the land I was born and raised on and forced to fight tooth and nail for everything I have.
“Simmer Down” appeals to the pacifist in me… never use anger to make a decision… always think with a rational mind. War cannot beget peace and only cool heads can and will prevail.
BILL “BLADE” HOWELL was born to Leonard Percival Howell and Tenneth Bent-Howell in 1942 at Pinnacle in Sligoville, St. Catherine, on the island of Jamaica. In 1956, Howell and his family were evicted from the land that they had been living on for over sixteen years through a series of corrupt tactics from government officials, wealthy landowners, and crooked lawyers. Howell went on to become one of the first Black art directors working in New York advertising agencies in the 1970s. He has been living in New York for over fifty years.