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He may not have been formally honoured by his country, but Vincent Joseph Morgan -- affectionately known as Margie, Vin, Toney, and Sample -- got the tribute he richly deserved yesterday at the Roberts Funeral Chapel in Linstead, St Catherine.

Morgan, who passed away on June 6, at age 75, was remembered as a gifted musician whose influence reached far beyond the quiet town where he grew up. The service overflowed with music and memories, drawing out Jamaica's reggae pioneers to honour the drummer, percussionist, producer, and studio engineer whose journey began with the legendary Soul Defenders band.

Daughter Kandise Morgan-Small, reflecting on his legacy, described him as a "musical genius"

"Daddy was gifted. Not being formally trained, his musical talent was God-given," she said. "As a child, I would marvel at his ability to listen to a song and after a couple of key strokes, he had it down pat." She added that beyond music, her father also sketched and painted exceptionally well -- a talent she proudly claimed she inherited.

Fab Five band leader and bass guitarist Frankie Campbell called Morgan "one of the best" he'd ever worked with, highlighting the hit song Picture Hanging on the Wall as one of his great works. Campbell then introduced songstress Gem Myers and recording artiste Home T, who performed the song before shifting to moving worship numbers that brought the congregation to its feet. Legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser also paid tribute through a powerful instrumental performance that drew cheers from those gathered.

But it was granddaughter Makeda Evans who offered the deepest dive into Morgan's life and career.

"He was a talented, passionate musician, a man who loved music from the very beginning of his life," she said, recalling how he'd make sounds with pots in his mother's kitchen. Evans shared that Morgan was taught to read early by his mother and earned a scholarship to St Jago High School at age 10. His formal exposure to music began there, before joining the Soul Defenders band in 1970, practising six days a week under manager Lance Chung. The band later worked at Studio One, backing reggae legends such as Burning Spear, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis, Horace Andy and Leroy Sibbles. Morgan also recorded songs like Jah Love and Face Your Troubles before touring four years with Culture, led by Joseph Hill.

"When asked about his life he would say 'Music is what I am,'" Evans recalled.

Member of Parliament for St Catherine Eastern, Denise Daley, who grew up near Morgan, remembered him as "a humble giant".

"If you are talking about music and natural talent, you wouldn't have to look at no other than Margie," she said.

Pastor Aidwin Gidden, delivering the message, urged those gathered to see their own gifts as ministry.

"Whatever you can do, even in the secular world, I would suggest you let it become a ministry to help others so they might have a place in the kingdom of God."

Morgan is survived by three brothers, five daughters - Simone, Kandise, Claudia, Avril and Diana - 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His rhythm and spirit will long echo in Jamaica's musical history.