DELROY (SPEEDY) STERLING

By: Michelle - Ann HyltonDELROY STERLINGBorn and raised in the community of Rosemont, Montego Bay, Delroy “Speedy” Sterling is the fourth of ten children. As devout Christians, Sterling and his family were avid churchgoers and members of the local Baptist church. His love for music began in Church. Upon leaving school, he edged his way into the music business signing for a small band called Sun Jet. Through playing at hotels across Montego Bay, Sterling landed a job as a disj jocky at the Sea Winds Hotels. He recalls this as ‘one of the best times in my life,” and was soon promoted to Entertainment Coordinator. Sterling met and worked with numerous recording artists during his time at the hotel. Bob Marley, Half Pint and Frankie Paul are three of the most memorable people.In 1980 Sterling headed for Europe. There he learned German, Switzerland and traveled as far as Holland, Italy and Yugoslavia before returning to Jamaica. Upon his return, Sterling worked as a tour guide for a German company in Montego Bay.Sterling immigrated to Toronto in the early nineties. Working odd jobs, he focused on his family life as he became the proud father of two. During this time he was part owner of a sound system called Soul Celebrity, playing at private parties all across the GTA. He soon became the spoken person for the Little Pub Restaurant in Etobicoke, and was one day invited to do an interview at CHRY. Impressed by the small but influential station, Sterling became a volunteer learning the necessary skills. He yearned to become a permanent voice on the airwaves and in 1995 submitted an application for a reggae music show called the Mix Supreme. He stated in an interview, “as a Jamaican I saw this a opportunity to share the music that represents us as a people.”The show now in its ninth year has been extremely successful. Every week, Sterling combines the sounds of classic reggae with candid interviews and historical segments to provide his listeners with a slice of Jamaica.Throughout the years, listeners have enjoyed top-class stage shows hosted by Delroy Sterling. Presently, he is the owner of Top Ten Records, a recording and promotion company now in its infant stage. As a recipient of the 2003 top disc jockey award of the Canadian Reggea Music Awards, he humbly credits his success to his undaunted perseverance over the years.