If you are not on the centre stage, if you’re one of the back-up guys in the band or a hired studio musician, you’d better be versatile, able to adapt to most any venue or piece of music placed in front of you. So if your gig requires a multitalented bass player, Roger ‘Bugs’ Wilson is your man.
 
Bugs has often backed me at local shows, but that’s not saying much because I’m a performer who keeps the music simple – three or four cords will do for me.
 
Roger however shines when ‘bassing’ for the Sea n’ B Band, better known as Chuck and Barrie. This popular band plays a mix of pop, soca, reggae, calypso along with complicated jazz, and for Bugs it’s all a breeze.
 
His perpetual smile seems to say “Com’on Chuck give me something complicated to play”.
 
Bugs was born in England to Jamaican parents, yet raised in Jamaica. In his teens he started playing guitar and by the time he was out of his teens he was touring in Japan, Europe, USA, Canada and even Paris where he performed with the Mighty Diamonds when they opened for Burning Spear. He first arrived in Cayman as a backup for Lloyd Lovindeer. Who’s that you say?
 
Anyone who has lived in this part of the world for a few decades can’t forget Wild Gilbert. I’m not talking about the hurricane; I’m talking about the song that took Cayman like a storm. Bugs also played on the original recording of that wild, witty hit.
 
His weekly appearance at the Havana Club is just part of his busy schedule. Bugs also works with Hi Tide, Can’t be Bothered and a long list of other musicians. At the recent Heart Fund Concert at Camana Bay, Bugs stepped on stage and backed an assortment of local acts (some for the first time), easily following along with their unfamiliar tunes. Then Ron ‘Elvis impersonator’ Adams took the spot light for a solid hour of Elvis classics. Bugs never missed a note. From Wild Gilbert to Jailhouse Rock - now that’s talent.   WH