Reggae Superfest organisers had pinned a notice on the gate saying Isaacs -- of `Night Nurse' fame -- would not be performing due to illness.

Great Sound Productions offered a full $40 refund to disappointed fans, many of whom expressed their anger at the gate.

Spokesman Mr. Gary Sheppard said yesterday he did not know how many fans had actually turned away. But he said attendance definitely suffered as a result of the main attraction's no-show.

Organisers learned only hours before the concert that the star would not be coming, he said.

The reason given was that Isaacs was too ill to fly out from London where he had performed the night before. "The fact he was only scheduled to fly in on Saturday afternoon, we weren't very happy about in the first place,'' he said.

"After learning he would not be coming, we turned our attention to getting a replacement -- Dennis Brown, but by that time it was too late.

"We will be following things up with his agent.'' It is understood Isaacs was paid in part by Great Sound when he agreed to perform.

Great Sound Production's attempt to bring in Isaacs for a concert last year did not pan out either.

The company had hoped to hold a concert at Dockyard featuring Isaacs and another reggae veteran, Freddie McGregor.

But the concert was cancelled after organisers learned another entertainment company, TOC Productions, was flying Isaacs in a week earlier for a hastily arranged concert at St. David's Cricket Field.

The concert ended up being poorly attended and fans had to wait until the early hours of the morning for Isaacs to perform.

Mr. Sheppard said it was hard to say how many had turned away on Saturday night until today when ticket holders were told to come into Great Sound studios for their refunds.

But he conceded attendance was not the "bumper crowd'' Great Sound president Mr. Barry Fitzsimmons had expected to fill the 3,000-plus capacity tent in the Victualling Yard, outfitted with a state-of-the-art light, TV and sound system.

"Certainly, a number of people did not come because (Isaacs) was not performing,'' Mr. Sheppard said. "But I think the number was reasonable under the circumstances.'' He estimated around 1,200 attended the concert, which ended after 2 a.m.

To make up for Isaac's not performing, McGregor played for a longer time.