Artists

Artists

LATE LEGENDS
THESE ARTISTS ARE IN ZION, BUT WE STILL LOVE DEM, R.I.P

BOB MARLEY
Born: Feb 6, 1945
Nine Miles, St. Ann
Jamaica
Died: May 11, 1981

The late great Bob 'Robert Nesta' Marley is the undisputed king of reggae music, the only reggae artist to achieve the worldwide status of superstar. He was responsible for developing an 'international reggae' style in order to broaden his audience. It's part of his unique talent that he never ignored the message or the quality of the music, remaining true to the mission of reggae music. Bob Marley was suffering from cancer, he tried to fight the disease in a clinic in Bavaria, but unfortunately it was too late. At the start of May Bob Marley left Germany for his Jamaican home, a journey he did not complete. He died in a Miami hospital on Monday May 11, 1981.

JOSEPH 'Culture' HILL
Born: Jan 22, 1949
Linstead, St. Catherine
Jamaica
Died: August 19, 2006

The vocal trio Culture was formed by Joseph Hill, Albert Walker and Kenneth Paley aka Kenneth Dayes. Joseph Hill had already recorded the sublime 'Behold The Land' for Studio One in 1972. The 'Two Sevens Clash' (1977) set is their most celebrated album to date. After this release the trio entered an extremely prolific period in their career, recording excellent albums and 12" singles. They split up in 1982, and since then Joseph Hill (as Culture) has enjoyed considerable success with a string of quality roots albums.
Joseph Hill died unexpected at Aug 19 2006 in the middle of an European tour after a sudden illness in Berlin Germany.

PETER TOSH
Born: Oct 19, 1944
Grange Hill,Westmoreland
Jamaica
Died: Sept 11, 1987

Hubert Winston McIntosh aka Peter Tosh one of the founding members of The Wailers, left the group in 1973 to embark on a successful solo career. Although he had cut solo tracks for Joe Gibbs and Coxsone Dodd, he became an international star when he signed up
with Virgin Records, releasing the albums 'Legalize It' and 'Equal Rights'. On the Rolling Stones and EMI label he released a string of fine albums. On the evening of September 11, 1987, Peter Tosh was brutally murdered at his home in Barbican, Kingston by gunmen.
Also killed on that fateful night, was Wilton 'Doc' Brown,
a herbalist friend of Tosh.

DENNIS BROWN
Born: Feb 1, 1957
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: July 1, 1999

Dennis Emanuel Brown has to be considered one of the most prolific and popular reggae artists ever. He started recording for producer Coxsone Dodd, while still in his childhood. In the 70s and early 80s he established himself as a major force in reggae music with numerous roots and lovers cuts for several leading producers.
The crown prince of reggae died at a Kingston hospital in 1999. Initial reports suggested Brown died of complications from respiratory problems, but his cause of death has never been confirmed.

TENOR SAW
Born: Feb 11, 1966
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: August, 1988

Born Clive Bright, dancehall singer Tenor Saw was one of the most influential singers of the early digital era.
In 1985 he released the dancehall anthem 'Ring The Alarm', which
became one of Jamaica's most
versioned riddims.This tune marked the beginning of a three years span in which Tenor Saw delivered a steady stream of dancehall smashes.
Tenor Saw was killed on August 1988 under mysterious circumstances by a hit and run driver in Houston Texas.
He died at 22 years of age.

NITTY GRITTY
Born: 1957
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: June 24, 1991

Glen Augustus Holness, aka Nitty Gritty, was a contemporary of Tenor Saw, sharing a similar vocal style. Before joining up with King Jammy in 1985,
he worked with Joe Gibbs, started a group called The Soulites.
Nitty Gritty delivered his most successful and best output during the second
half of the eighties, when computerised riddims took hold in Jamaica.
On June 24, 1991 Nitty Gritty was shot dead outside Super Power record
shop in Brooklyn, New York at the
age of 34.

GARNETT SILK
Born: April 2, 1966
Mandeville
Jamaica
Died: Dec 10, 1994

Garnett Daymon Smith aka Garnett Silk started deejaying as a teenager, calling himself Little Bimbo. For Delroy Collins he recorded his first single, soon followed by sessions for King Tubby, Youth Promotion and King Jammy. He achieved success with his cuts for Courtney Cole, but his debut set 'It's Growing' for Bobby Digital established him as a major roots artist. Reggae lovers everywhere hailed Garnett as the successor to Bob Marley. However the promising life and career came to an unexpected and abrupt end on Dec 10th, 1994. According to reports in the Jamaican press, Silk borrowed guns from his attorney after his home had been robbed. Someone was showing
Silk how to use or clean a gun when it accidentally discharged, the bullet struck a cooking gas cylinder which instantly exploded, killing Silk, his mother Teega, and severely burning 2 of his brothers.

JACOB MILLER
Born: May 4, 1952
Mandeville
Jamaica
Died: March 23, 1980

Jacob 'Killer' Miller recorded his first single 'Keep on Knocking' for Augustus Pablo. Soon Miller found himself auditioning for a band called Inner Circle. He joined the group in 1976 and 'Tenement Yard' their first recording became his biggest hit.
Miller and the group were signed to Capitol Records in 1977 and released “Reggae Thing” and 'Ready for the World'. They also appeared with Bob Marley at the infamous Peace Concert in 1978. Their 3rd album “Everything is Great” was released on Chris Blackwell’s Island Records label in 1979. The album sold over 500,000 copies in Europe. Chris Blackwell took Miller and Marley his two biggest reggae stars to Brazil to celebrate the new Island Records South American Office. They returned to Jamaica on Friday, March 21st and only two days later Miller died in tragic car accident on Hope Road.

LUCKY DUBE
Born: Aug 3, 1964
Ermelo
South Africa
Died: Oct 18, 2007

Lucky Dube is one of South Africa's best selling artists and one of its most outspoken performers. Although he initially sang in the traditional Zulu mbaganga style, his move to reggae in 1984 ( inspired by the controversal lyrics of Peter Tosh) was sparked by his quest to express his anger against the oppression of apartheid. Lucky Dube made a type of melodious, African reggae that slowly but surely has turned him into a superstar. He sang powerfully in English about social problems, the blacks' struggle, and God's greatness. With the song, 'Together As One', he became the first black artist in South Africa to be played on a white radio station. His albums, 'Slave' and 'Prisoner', both sold over 500,000 copies and are the best selling disks ever in South Africa. On October 18, 2007,
Lucky Dube was shot and killed during a car-jacking attempt in Johannesburg.

GENERAL ECHO
Born: Dec 8, 1955
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Nov 22, 1980

General Echo born Errol Robinson was a top reggae deejay of the late 1970's.
Ranking Slackness, better known as General Echo set up his own sound system, Echo Tone Hi Fi and became extremely popular because of his preference for slackness and his typical vocal delivery. Under the supervision of Winston Riley, he successfully versioned the 'Stalag 17' riddim, retitling it 'Arleen'. The song stayed in the charts for weeks. Shortly after the release of his '12 Inches Of Pleasure' set he was shot dead by
the police at Nov 22, 1980 in Jamaica
along with 2 members of his sound.

PRINCE FAR I
Born: 1944
Spanish Town
Jamaica
Died: Sep 15, 1983

Michael James Williams, better known
as the deejay Prince Far I, started his recording career in the late sixties,
when he cut 'The Great Wooga Booga' for Bunny 'Striker' Lee. However, his
first hits came when he teamed up with producer Joe Gibbs. This success enabled him to finance the setting-up of his own 'Cry Tuff' label. Gruff chants delivered over tough riddims became Prince Far I's trademark. The deejay's life and career came to an end when
On September 15, 1983 Prince Far I
was brutally killed during a robbery at
his home in Jamaica.

KING TUBBY
Born: Jan 28, 1941
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Feb 6, 1989

King Tubby, real name Osbourne Ruddock, also known as the dub originator, started his Tubby's Home Town Hi Fi sound system in the late 60s. He 'invented' dub, by reworking Duke Reid's rocksteady classics. Throughout the 70s he was the foremost dub mixer in Jamaica, cutting crucial dubs for almost every Jamaican producer. He
also took up producing and laid down some heavy digital slices. On Feb 6,1989 he was shot and killed outside his home in Waterhouse. His murder remains unsolved, his death believed to have been the result of a street robbery.

COXSONE DODD
Born: Jan 26, 1932
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: May 4, 2004

Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd is a
legendary figure in terms of Jamaica's music industry. From the late 50s his Downbeat Sound System was one of a select few that ran things in Jamaica
and he turned its success into one of the most respected record companies ever: Studio One. He began by playing music on a record player at his parent's liquor store. By the time King Edwards the Giant had taken over as the number 1 'sound' in Kingston, Coxsone was ready to record and release music by virtually every major Jamaican artist who could reach the microphone. Four days after the City of Kingston honoured him by naming a street for his famous Studio One recording label, Jamaican music pioneer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd
died of a heart attack at his offices at
13 Studio One Boulevard.

BARRY BROWN
Born: 1962
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: May 29, 2004

Barry Brown was one of a number of singers to find success in the 1970's under producer Bunny Lee. One of the most successful artists of the early dancehall era, Brown worked with some of Jamaica's top producers of the time, including Linval Thompson, Winston 'Niney The Observer' Holness, Sugar Minott and Coxsone Dodd, as well as releasing self-produced material. After releasing eleven albums between 1979 and 1984, Brown's releases became more sporadic, although his work continued to feature prominently on sound systems such as those of Jah Shaka. In the 1990's, Brown's health deteriorated, suffering with asthma and substance abuse problems and he died in May 2004 at Sone Waves Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, after falling and hitting his head.

PAPA TOUWTJIE
Born: Dec 21, 1968
Paramaribo
Suriname
Died: June 9, 2005

Suriname's most popular dancehall singer/performer Papa Touwtjie (Johan Touwslager) rose to fame with a cover version of Jamaica’s Terror Fabulous' hit song 'Gangster', after serving time for petty crimes. He subsequently became a dancehall/reggae icon in Suriname and influenced a lot of young artists in the dancehall/reggae scene. 'Papa T', was extremely popular among the youth and underprivileged people in the Surinamese society. In his songs he
took a stand against poverty, other
social problems and was often the
centre of controversy with his protest songs, strong language and lyrics
against the political establishment.
During a family quarrel which escalated and resulted in a shooting, Papa Touwtjie was shot dead by his own brother on June 9, 2005.

NICODEMUS
Born: June 27
1957
Jamaica
Died: Aug 26, 1996

Cecil Willington a.k.a Nicodemus
started his DJ career in the late 70's early 80's on the Socialist Roots Sound System longside selector Danny Dread. He recorded a number of hits, including memorable work with the Roots Radics,
combination hits with artists like Linval Thompson, Leroy Sibbles, Ranking Trevor and notable sessions at the Channel One Studio. As the years progressed Nicodemus continued recording and as the 90's approached
he became widely appreciated for being a DJ Veteran and was treated with the respect he was due. At August 26 in 1996, he passed from apparent complications with diabetes.

COUNT OSSIE
Born: March, 1926
St. Thomas
Jamaica
Died: Oct 18, 1976

Born Oswald Williams, Count Ossie
grew up in a rasta community were he learned techniques of vocal chanting and hand drumming. He formed a group called 'Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari' and recorded 2 albums with them. His masterpiece was 'Grounation' (1973),
3 LP set, which includes songs as 'Oh Carolina', 'So Long', and 'Grounation'
Two years later 'Tales Of Mozambique' was issued, continuing the legacy of the first album. There has been some debate as to the cause of his death in 1976. While some sources claim that he was killed in an auto accident, others
say that he was trampled to death when a crowd panicked at the National Arena.

DIRTSMAN
Born: 1966
Spanish Town
Jamaica
Died: Dec 21, 1993

Born Patrick Thomas ( brother of Papa San), Dirtsman was a similarly inclined dancehall DJ until his brutal death. His father was the owner of the Black Universe sound system but he subsequently moved on to the Creation Rock Tower Sound, based in Willowdene. Recording since the mid-1980s, Dirtsman's biggest hits were 'Thank You', produced by Steely and Clevie and 'Hot This Year', produced by New York producer Philip Smart. On the cusp of mainstream success, he signed to BMG, but his career was cut short in 1993 when he was shot on his veranda by four gunmen, being pronounced dead on arrival at Spanish Town Hospital.

HENRY 'JUNJO' LAWES
Born: Circa 1948
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: June 14, 1999

During the early years of dancehall reggae, Henry "Junjo" Lawes was the most important and influential producer around. His raw, street-level sound and use of pre-existing rhythms virtually defined dancehall in its predigital phase. Lawes produced many of the top DJs of the early '80s, and also helped more traditional reggae singers bridge their influences and the new style. Unfortunately, Lawes was also something of a star-crossed figure: he spent the latter half of the '80s in jail, halting his career just as the new, electronic ragga sound was changing
the face of dancehall. Although Lawes returned to work in the '90s, he was no longer on the cutting edge. He was shot to death in the Harlesden area of London
by two men -likely gang members-
in 1999. The case remains unsolved.

JUNIOR BRAITHWAITE
Born: April 4, 1949
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: June 2, 1999

Franklin Delano Alexander Braithwaite, better known as Junior Braithwaite was one of the founders and the first lead singer of The Wailers. Braithwaite was with The Wailers for eight months and sung lead on such songs as, 'Habits,' 'Straight and Narrow Way,' 'Don't Ever Leave Me,' and 'It Hurts To Be Alone.'
He left the band in 1964 and moved to the United States with hopes of
pursuing a medical career. He lived primarily in Chicago and southern Wisconsin for the next 20 years, and returned to Jamaica in 1984 to work
with Bunny Wailer on a Wailers' reunion project. With the assassination of Peter Tosh in September 1987, plans for
world tours with a reunited-Wailers never materialized. Junior Braithwaite was murdered in the home of a fellow musician in Kingston.

MAJOR WORRIES
Born:
1966
Jamaica
Died: Aug, 1987

Major Worries (born Wayne Jones) was another victim of the gun culture that plagued the Jamaican music industry. The DJ's 'drunken master' style on his debut, 'Topa' led to a series of hits
which leaves this writer believing he could have enjoyed a long and fruitful career. Predestined to become a major deejay name in the digital age Major Worries' life and career were tragically cut off in their prime. As many of his predecessors, this young talent had built his reputation when working for several sound systems before he really made his mark with the original and amusing 'Babylon Boops', a tune he cut for King Jammy's. Major Worries was shot and killed by a security guard in Spanish Town in August in 1987. He was a
major influence to Shabba Ranks and
still is to many DJ's of today.

DESMOND DEKKER
Born: July 16, 1941
St. Andrew
Jamaica
Died: May 25, 2006

Born Desmond Adolphus Dacres in St. Andrew,Jamaica, Desmond grew up in Kingston. Together with his backing group, The Aces (consisting of Wilson James and Easton Barrington Howard), he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with 'Israelites'. Other
hits include '007 (Shanty Town)' (1967) and 'It Mek' (1968). Before the ascent
of Bob Marley, Dekker was one of the most popular musicians within Jamaica, and one of the best-known musicians outside it. Many see him as a musical icon. Desmond Dekker died of a heart attack on 25 May 2006, at his home in
Thornton Heath in the London Borough
of Croydon, England.

JOE HIGGS
Born: June 3, 1940
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Dec 18, 1999

Joe Higgs is one of the most crucial people in Jamaican music, through both his teachings which allowed other musicians to become great, and also through his own groundbreaking music at the beginnings of ska, rock steady
and reggae. In the 1960s he was part
of the duo Higgs and Wilson together with Delroy Wilson. Higgs was widely respected as a composer, arranger and performer, but perhaps most of all as a teacher. Among those he trained were Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh,
Bob Andy, the Wailing Souls and Bunny Wailer. He died in a hospital in Los Angeles following several months of treatment for cancer.

PAN HEAD
Born: Circa 1966
St. Mary
Jamaica
Died: Oct 20, 1993

Pan Head (Anthony Johnson) was a dancehall DJ who made his initial impact in 1990. His releases,'Respect Gunman', 'Punny Printer', 'Gunman Tune', and 'African Princess' proved especially popular. His notoriety grew, leading to performances longside Buju Banton, Capleton, Beenie Man and Mad Cobra. However, his potential success was ended when he was brutally killed by a gunman in October 1993, when he was leaving a dance. In 1994 Buju Banton (after his friends Panhead and Dirtsman were killed) released 'Murderer' a song condemning violence that is often credited as the song that began the new conscious movement in dancehall.

DELROY WILSON
Born: Oct 5, 1948
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: March 6, 1995

Delroy Wilson was one of Jamaica's
most soulful vocalists and over a 40-year career the singer unleashed a flood of hits and a multitude of masterpieces. He took up recording for Coxsone Dodd while still in his childhood. At the end of the 60s he joined Bunny Lee's
impressive rosta of artistes. All through the 70s his output was prolific.The song 'Better must Come' (with Bunny Lee in 1971) was a massive hit and his 1976 cover of The Wailers' 'I'm Still Waiting' stands the test of time well.
He recorded for an array of producers and even scored in the digital era with some serious slices for King Jammy.
Tragically, Wilson died of cirrhosis of
the liver on March 6, 1995, at the Kingston's UWI hospital.

DUKE REID
Born: Circa 1915
Portland
Jamaica
Died: Early 1975

Arthur Reid a.k.a Duke Reid ran one of
the most popular sound systems of the '50s called Duke Reid's the Trojan.
In the 1960s, Reid founded the record label Treasure Isle, named after his liquor store, that produced legendary
ska and rocksteady music. Sound system operator, former policeman and liquor store owner Duke 'The Trojan' Reid, perhaps has been the single biggest influence on the development of Jamaican music after his rival Coxsone Dodd. At the beginning of the 70s he single-handed created a new form of deejaying, cutting slices with U Roy. Duke Reid became seriously ill in 1974 and was diagnosed with cancer. He
sadly passed away in early 1975, leaving behind an extensive musical legacy.

JACKIE OPEL
Born: 1938
Bridgetown
Barbados
Died: 1970

Born as Dalton Bishop in Barbados, Opel
possessed a rich, powerful voice with a six-octave range. He was known as the Jackie Wilson of Jamaica, and was a gifted dancer. In his homeland he was already a musical superstar.
In the early 1960s, he was discovered
by Byron Lee, who brought him to Jamaica. There, he started performing with the legendary Skatalites as an occasional vocalist and bass player. He recorded as a solo artist first on
Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label. His styles included ska, R&B, soul, gospel, and calypso and with his James Brown-like stage show, he was poised for international stardom when he died in
a car accident while visiting his native Barbados in 1970.

SLIM SMITH
Born: 1948
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Oct 9, 1972

Slim Smith, born Keith Smith, started
out in the early 60s as a founding member of The Techniques, before joining the ranks of producer Coxsone Dodd, cutting some notable sides collected on the classic 'Born To Love' set. His Studio One recordings brilliantly highlight his passionate, soulful voice. The end of the 60s saw him working for Bunny Lee, both as a solo artist and as a member of The Uniques, scoring with the memorable 'My Conversation'. The cause of Slim Smith's untimely death in 1972 is the subject of some dispute.
He died after bleeding to death from a wound to his wrist caused by smashing
a window of his house.
The reasons for his action are however not clear. One version has it that he was locked out of his house, another that depression was the reason, and his death should thus be regarded as suicide. His death stunned Jamaica.

AUGUSTUS PABLO
Born: June 21, 1954
St. Andrew
Jamaica
Died: May 18, 1999

Horace Swaby aka Augustus Pablo is probably best known for his melodica playing, although he actually started his career as a session pianist for Coxsone Dodd. His experimenting with the melodica led to a new sound in reggae music, which almost immediately became very popular. Beyond doubt Augustus Pablo was of great influence
on the development of reggae music,
not only as melodica / keyboards
player but also as a producer. Pablo's first recording came in 1971. His most famous track from this period was
'East Of The River Nile' which set the mould for his 'Far Eastern' sound. His signature is a combination of minor keys and modern melodies and influences on his music ranged from ska trombonist Don Drummond to Studio One organist Jackie Mittoo.
Pablo died of the nerve disorder Myasthenia gravis on May 18, 1999.

DON DRUMMOND
Born: 1932
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: May 6, 1969

Don Drummond was a famous ska trombonist and composer and one of
the original members of The Skatalites. In the 50s he had established his reputation as one of Jamaica's top musicians. As a member of the legendary Skatalites and as a solo musician, he has cut numerous timeless tracks for Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid. Drummond's genius did not come
without a price, however - a notoriously eccentric man who suffered from bouts of manic depression, his erratic behaviour earned him the nickname
'Don Cosmic' from Dodd. In 1964 when he was convicted of the murder of his girlfriend, Drummond was deemed legally insane, and committed
indefinitely to Bellevue Hospital. He died there on May 6, 1969 although officially explained as a suicide, there was no official autopsy, and rumours about his death continue to swirl to this day.

PUMA JONES
Born: Oct 5, 1953
Columbia, South Carolina
USA
Died: Jan 28, 1990

At the end of the '70s, American sociologist Sandra 'Puma' Jones went to Jamaica to find her African roots. There, she sang with Ras Michael and other native artists and was invited by Duckie Simpson to join Black Uhuru for the recording sessions of the 1979 album, Showcase. She went on to sing on 7 studio albums. Together with Michael Rose, Duckie Simpson and the extraordinary musicians Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, they built the most successful reggae act after Bob Marley. When Rose left the band in 1984, Jones was committed to continuing with the band, but in 1987 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She returned to
New York City for treatment but died on 28th January 1990.

LOUIE LEPKI
Born: Aug 12
1957
Jamaica
Died: ± 1986

Deejay Luie Lepke was highly popular
on the Jamaican soundsystem circuit.
His style is a classic example of the
early dancehall style of the 80s,
toasting over well known Studio One
and Treasure Isle riddims. Although Lepki recorded extensively for several producers, his cuts for producer Joe Gibbs have stood the test of time particularly well. Louie released 3 albums: 'Latenight movie' produced by Joe Gibbs & Errol Thompson, 1981, 'Willie Red' for Channel one in 1982
and 'Face to face' with Johnny Ringo
(who died in 2005 suffering from
cocaine addiction). The actual facts about Louie's death are not really clear, it is said that Lepki was killed in ± 1986 by a gunman by a shot in the head.

CARLTON BARRETT
Born: Dec 17, 1950
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: April 17, 1987

Carlton 'Carly' Barrett was the originator of the one drop rhythm, a percussive drumming style. An essential member
of Bob Marley and The Wailers since 1969 along with his brother Aston
'Family Man'. With Carly's beats and his brother Aston's bass, the Wailer rhythm section planted the seeds of today's international reggae. Though original Wailers Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer
left the group in 1973, Carlton remained with the Wailers in the studio and on
tour until Bob's passing in 1981. His signature style can be heard on
every recording the Wailers produced since 1969. In 1987 Carlton 'Field Marshal' was killed at his yard in Kingston by gunman, hired by his wife,
who shot him twice in the head.

HUGH MUNDELL
Born: June 14, 1962
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: 1983

With the tragic murder in 1983, reggae lost one of its most promising young performers. Hugh's 1975 debut album, 'Africa Must Be Free By 1983',remains a classic roots reggae recording. Mundell was still a teenager when he teamed with influential producer Joe Gibbs. His first break came when he was hired as
a DJ for Augustus Pablo's Rockers sound system. Mundell also recorded several 12" singles as Jah Levi. In 1979, he took over the production of his own recordings and produced 'Little' Junior Reid's debut album 'Speak the Truth'. What seemed likely to be a brilliant career was cut short when Mundell was shot to death while driving with Junior Reid in Kingston, Jamaica in 1983. Accounts of the incident are muddled, some reporting that it was over an argument about a fridge, others that it was in revenge for a burglary, others
still that it was over a woman.

I-ROY
Born: June 8, 1944
St. Thomas
Jamaica
Died: Nov 27, 1999

Roy Samuel Reid better known as I-Roy was a Jamaican DJ who had a very prolific career during the '70s.
Deriving his name and to some extent
his style from U-Roy, Reid was also heavily influenced in his early career by Dennis Alcapone. With early recordings for Gussie Clarke, Glen Brown, Lee Perry and Bunny Lee, Reid established himself at the forefront of 1970's reggae DJ's. His debut album "Presenting I Roy" is considered a classic of its genre, and was followed up by a series of strong albums. In 1976, I Roy signed to Virgin Records with whom he would go on to release five albums.
Reggae's move to the Dancehall era in the 1980's saw I Roy's popularity decline and although he continued to record,
his output was not of the standard that he had set in the previous decade.
He died in 1999 of heart failure in Kingston Jamaica.

KEITH HUDSON
Born: 1946
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: 14 Nov, 1984

Keith Hudson's musical career began
as Hudson worked as a sort of roadie
for Skatalite and Jamaican trombone
king Don Drummond. By age 21, he started his own record label, Inbidimts, and had a hit with Ken Boothe's recording of 'Old Fashioned Way'. Hudson was producing some of the biggest names like: John Holt, Delroy Wilson, Alton Ellis, U-Roy and Dennis Alcapone, all of whom benefited from what would be Hudson's trademark production style: groove-centered, bass/drum-dominated, lean and mean stripped-down riddims. By the mid-'70s, he began releasing more solo work;
his debut, 'Entering the Dragon' and his intense second record, 'Flesh of My Skin', an ominous, dark record that earned Hudson his title: 'The dark prince of reggae'. He produced and recorded pretty much non stop, up until 1982. Hudson died of lung cancer in 1984.

JUNIOR DELGADO
Born: Aug 25, 1958
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: April 11, 2005

Junior 'Jooks' Delgado born Oscar Hibbert began singing in his teens as Junior Hibbert, with the vocal group
Time Unlimited. In 1975, Delgado decided to pursue a solo career and changed his name to Junior Delgado. Delgado was his long-time nickname, taken from the Spanish word for skinny. His debut album 'Taste of the Young Heart' (1978) showcased his "raw
moan" vocal style. In a 30-year career, Delgado recorded with the likes of Lee Perry, Sly and Robbie and Dennis Brown, Prince Jammy, Joe Gibbs, Augustus
Pablo and Earl Chinna Smith. Famed for his roots style, his most successful
songs included Raggamuffin Year and Fort Augustus. Throughout the early 1990s Delgado spent most of his time between recording and touring Britain where he had a strong fan base. He
died of natural causes in his sleep on 11th April 2005 at his home in London.

BIM SHERMAN
Born: Feb 2, 1950
Westmoreland
Jamaica
Died: Nov 17, 2000

Born Jarrett Tomlinson in Jamaica, Bim Sherman started his career in 1975. He released many 7" records in Jamaica via his own labels 'Scorpio', 'Red Sea' and 'Sun Dew'. One of his biggest fan, the then young reggae producer Adrian Sherwood asked him in 1979 to come
to England and tour with Prince Far I, Creation Rebel and Prince Hammer. Sherman decided to stay in London and became a regular collaborator for the On-U sound. He also started his own label, Century Records. What marked Bim Sherman out from his contemporaries was not just his plaintively sweet vocal delivery, or the matching subtlety of his songwriting,
but the fact that throughout his career
he maintained a fierce defence of his own independence as an artist, keeping control of his output both creatively and commercially. Bim Sherman died, as a result of cancer, on November 17, 2000.

JUSTIN HINDS
Born: May 7, 1942
St. Ann
Jamaica
Died: March 16, 2005

Distinctive vocalist and one of Jamaica's most talented songwriters Justin Hinds
is probably best known as the leader of the Dominoes, one of the first Rasta-inspired vocal groups who emerged in the ska days. They easily adapted changes in style and tempo when the driving ska beat slowed significantly eventually becoming rocksteady then followed by a style acquiring the title of reggae. Their popularity remained undiminished until the group split up in the early 90's. His work with Duke Reid's Treasure Isle Records, where his most notable song, 'Carry Go Bring Come' in 1963, went to number one in Jamaica. He recorded seventy singles between 1964 and 1966, and was the most popular artist on the record label. Although not as prominent in Jamaica in later years, Justin Hinds is a household name in Europe, especially in France. Hinds died of lung cancer in 2005.

SIMPLE SIMON
Born: Feb 11
1956
Jamaica
Died: Feb 6, 2004

Jamaica's Foundation Dancehall Singer Simple Simon had a special gift of a talented lyricist, as his songs have
enriched every collectors shelf with many, hit singles throughout his career. In 1985 he recorded the albums 'Bad Man' produced by Ranking Joe and 'Reggae move' a production by Bunny Lee. Although diagnosed with terminal cancer in late 2000, Simple Simon refused to allow his illness to disable his ability to continue to perform and promote classic reggae music. He even refused to have his larynx removed
when he found out he'd never be able
to sing again. After a long battle with cancer of the oesophagus, he died on February 6, 2004.

RANKING TOYAN
(Toyan)
Born:
Jamaica
Died: 1991

Ranking Toyan, started off in the mid 70's DJ-ing for some of the biggest sound systems in Jamaica. He scored a hit in 1978 with the track 'Disco Pants'
on the Roots Tradition label. In 1981 he released the album 'How the West Was Won', generally agreed as Toyan's masterpiece, an album with staggering credentials: released by Greensleeves, written and produced by Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, backed by the Roots Radics, recorded at Channel One, and mixed by Scientist at King Tubby's studio. In 1982/83 he released several great albums for Jah Thomas, Scientist and Lawes. In 1991 he was murdered by gunmen. The exact details about his murder are still not clear.

JACK RUBY
Born:
Circa 1940's
Jamaica
Died: 1989

Jack Ruby (born Lawrence Lindo) was
an important reggae producer / sound system operator linked to the Ocho
Rios-sound of St. Anns Bay. He is perhaps best known for his production associations with Burning Spear around the start of his Island career, Justin
Hinds, as well as numerous high calibre reggae artists like: The Gaylads, Big Youth, King Tubby, Errol Thompson, Ken Booth and The Black Disciples. His most outstanding credit is Burning Spear's 'Marcus Garvey' album.
A generous sampling of his work is available on the album: 'Jack Ruby Presents the Black Foundation'. In 1989 he died from heart problems due to cocaine addiction.

JOHNNY RINGO
Born:
1961
Jamaica
Died: July 1, 2005

Johnny Ringo, was popularly known for his intelligent pronunciations and was described as having similar dj styles to that of the great General Echo. Johnny Ringo is known in the old dancehall school for songs such as 'Bad bwoy
haffi fit', 'Push lady push' and 'Hot Number'. He has over 15 albums to his credit. Back in the days, he used to
Dj on sound systems like Gemini, lees Unlimited, Stereo One, Stereophonic, Volcano and killamanjaro. The veteran Dj spent most of the 80's in the US. He returned to Jamaica in the early 90's where he started recording, but soon realised that his era had passed so he started making a living cutting dub
plates for sound systems in Jamaica & abroad. He died on July 1st 2005 suffering from cocaine addiction.

SIMPLETON
Born: 1971
St Andrew
Jamaica
Died: Nov 7, 2004

Simpleton (born Christopher Harrison) was a Jamaican reggae DJ Originally from the Tavern area of St Andrew Jamaica. He shot to fame in 1992 when he scored a number one hit on the JBC Radio One and RJR Top 40 charts with 'Coca Cola Bottle Shape'. In the mid 1990s he hit the Top 10 on the charts with 'Quarter to Twelve', produced by Anthony Red Rose.
Simpleton released three reggae
albums in the mid-1990's. After being virtually idle from the Jamaican music scene, Simpleton died on a Sunday
night at the Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston. Simpleton, who reportedly suffered from high blood pressure, collapsed and was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was just 33 years old.

BILLY BOYO
Born: Sept 21, 1969
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Oct 29, 2000

Billy Boyo (born Billy Rowe) was
probably the most prolific of the early-80’s child MC’s. In 1982 Henry 'Junjo' Lawes recorded this talented youthman deejay together with Little Harry for a two artist 'clash' album entitled
'DJ Clash Volume 2', released by Greensleeves Records. Billy Boyo also became part of Junjo's famous Volcano sound system and performed alongside Burro Banton, Little John, Toyan, Josey Wales, Lee Van Cleef, Yellowman and others. Boyo's career was short-lived
and little was heard of Boyo since the second half of the eighties. Rumors spread that Billy Boyo and Little Harry had been shot and killed. However; Billy in fact died of a brain tumor on October 29th 2000, after a two month long struggle to beat the disease.

EARLY B 'The Doctor'
Born: Feb, 1956/57
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Sept 11, 1994

Early B was an early dancehall reggae deejay whose lyrics had a 'cultural' bent, noted mainly in his hits 'Visit of King Selassie', 'History of Jamaica' and 'Wheely Wheely'. Early B began his career in the early 1980's deejaying exclusively for Killamanjaro sound system alongside his sparring partner Super Cat. Early B was a well-respected lyricist by the sound system deejay fraternity, possibly the best of the early-to-mid '80s dancehall era. He recorded several albums during the mid-80s, which remain well-circulated in the digital age today. In 1994 he was tragically gunned down while onstage inside the Windsor Cricket Club in Boston.The dance was put on by deejay and close friend Brigadier Jerry, featuring JahLoveMuzik, the Twelve Tribes of Israel sound system from Jamaica. While rumours have circulated as to the reasoning behind the murder, his killers have never been found.

FREDDIE MCKAY
Born: 1947
St. Catherine
Jamaica
Died: Nov 19, 1986

Rocksteady singer Freddie McKay had a few hits in the '60s (one of which was miscredited to someone else!), recorded with the Soul Defenders, among other studio groups, and worked with Jamaica's top reggae producers Duke Reid, Coxsone Dodd, and Prince Buster. He went on to record for the Studio One
and Treasure Isle labels, working with studio bands 'the Revolutionaires' and 'the Soul Defenders', with whom McKay cut 'Picture on the Wall' his biggest hit. According to the compilation Wake Up Jamaica, another one of McKay's hits, 'Love Is a Treasure,' was initially released in the late '60s as a Treasure Isle single. The song's reissue in the early '70s got the performer wrong again, this time listing Tommy McCook's All Stars. Eventually, the record was set straight and a few of Freddie's singles remained perennial favorites on ska and rocksteady compilations decades later.
In 1986 Freddie died of a heart attack.

MICHAEL SMITH
Born: 1954
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Aug 17, 1983

Michael Smith was an incredibly
talented, politically ferocious dub poet who, tragically, lived long enough to release only one record. He began his career as a poet, raged against a Jamaican political machine that seemed to fail the majority of its people. Smith's poetry reached the ears of Linton Kwesi Johnson and he brought Smith to England to record an album of dub poetry. Produced by Dennis Bovell and LKJ, Smith's debut, Mi Cyaan Believe It, was a scintillating piece of work,a signal that along with LKJ and Mutabaruka, dub poetry was entering an incredibly fertile period. In 1983, four men stoned Smith to death after he was seen passing the Jamaica Labour Party’s office. There were rumours at the time that his killing had been politically motivated, but these may well been cynical attempts at exploiting his death. Michael Smith himself supported no political party and had chosen to stay away from politics.

BRENT DOWE
Born: June 29, 1946
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Jan 29, 2004

Brent Dowe was one of the singers and founding members of the vocal trio The Melodians. They were one of Jamaica's greatest rocksteady groups, cutting a series of classic singles during the late '60s and early '70s that included the internationally famed 'Rivers of Babylon' ( which he sang lead on) and 'Sweet Sensation'.The group was formed in the Greenwich Town area of Kingston in 1963 and included Tony Brevett and Brent Dowe, who split lead vocal duties, plus full-time harmony singer Trevor McNaughton. Dowe left the group in 1973 and recorded solo singles during the mid-'70s. The trio reconvened once again in the early '80s and cut a reunion album of new material. Brent Dowe suffered from a heart attack in his home in Hugenden, Jamaica at January 29, 2004 at the age of 59.

JAH LLOYD
Born: Aug 28, 1947
St Catherine
Jamaica
Died: June 12, 1999

Jamaica's Pat Francis recorded under a lot of names during the 70s, including Jah Lion, Jah Lloyd and Black Lion of Judah. In the mid-1960s he was a member of the Mediators. Never afraid to reinvent himself, Francis turned toaster and DJ for tracks like 'Black Snowfall' and 'World Class'. He tasted critical success as Jah Lion when he recorded the marvelous 'Columbia Colly' album with Lee 'Scratch' Perry. He became Jah Lloyd in 1978, signing a record deal with Front Line and although songs like 'Jah Lion' and 'Cocaine' tried hard, they stirred up little public interest. Francis turned to production work as
the 70s ended, becoming Jah Lion again. Although he stayed active behind the scenes, his major recording work was behind him. He was only 52 when he was killed in Kingston on June 12, 1999.

ROMAN STEWART
Born: May 11, 1957
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Jan 25, 2004

Roman's career began in the early 70s. His breakthrough came in 1974 with the Festival winning 'Hooray Festival',
written by his brother Tinga.
Roman went on to record many great tunes for producers such as Phil Pratt, Linval Thompson and Everton Da Silva. Perhaps his best known tune is 'Rice And Peas', cut for Linval Thompson in 1979. Roman recorded over 70 singles, but only has a few albums to his name, including Running Away From Love and Wisdom Of Solomon. He also has an album of duets with his brother Tinga.
During a performance, he put the microphone down, complaining of chest pains. He later collapsed and was
rushed to hospital in a coma.
Stewart, who was known for his heavy drinking and substance abuse, went into a second coma and did not recover.

TREVOR SPARKS
Born: 1965
Nottingham
UK
Died: March 23, 2004

Fine lovers rock vocalist Trevor Sparks (real name Trevor Chambers) was born in England to Jamaican parents. During his musical career he brought massive tunes such as 'Feel Like Making Love', 'I'm Ready', 'If You Need Me Girl', 'Roses Are Red' and 'On The Wings Of Love'. The latter, a cover version of the Jeffrey Osborne tune, was a big hit in 1988. Trevor Sparks has worked with several well known producers including King Jammy, who produced Sparks' major hit 'Bye Bye Love' which was released on the 'China Town' riddim. He also produced Sparks' album of the same name, which was released by Super Power Records in the late 1980s. Trevor lost his battle with diabetes and all the complications this disease causes. He died on March 23rd 2004 in a nursing home in Chicago, where he moved to after he left Jamaica and New York.

LACKSLEY CASTELL
Born: Early 60's
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Mid 80's

Lacksley Castell, possessed of a high, light voice that resembled that of the late, great Hugh Mundell, began cutting sides in the late 70's with producers
such as Prince Jammy,
voicing a variety of tunes that Jammy
put out with a couple of Mundell tracks on the album Jah Fire. These were moderately successful, though many mistook him for Mundell, and led to Robert 'Negus Roots' Palmer deciding to voice him, firstly on a couple of 12"s
and then on two albums. The first album 'Morning Glory' has riddims by Sly & Robbie and backing vocals by Don Carlos. The second, 'Princess Lady',
was one of Mad Professor's first productions. Details about Castell's
death are not really clear but according to a midnight dread radio show program aired in the spring of 1984, Lacksley Castell died of an asthma attack.

JACKIE EDWARDS
Born:
1938
Jamaica
Died: Aug 15, 1992

Jackie Edwards has been called the Nat King Cole of Jamaica and in many ways
it is an apt description for this smooth and versatile singer, who was also a gifted songwriter. Born Wilfred Gerald Edwards in 1938 in Jamaica, he was a star on the island by the late 1950s, when he was discovered by future
Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who persuaded Jackie Edwards to relocate to the U.K. in 1962. Jackie Edwards had a huge talent,
and although some critics have
dismissed him as too smooth and sentimental (he was the original 'cool ruler'), he recorded solid material in all of Jamaica's evolving musical modes, including ska, rocksteady, roots and lovers rock, but also made contributions in straight pop styles, even recording a marvelous gospel album. He died on August 15, 1992 of a heart attack.

JACKIE MITTOO
Born: March 3, 1948
St Ann
Jamaica
Died: Dec 16, 1990

The late great Jackie Mittoo was reggae's premier keyboard player
whose work was of great influence on the direction of reggae in the sixties and seventies. Mittoo showcased his skills and talent in bands like The Skatalites (which he joined when he was 15 years old), Soul Brothers and Soul Vendors, scouted and arranged for Coxsone Dodd's labels and issued solo albums.
In the eighties the dancehall movement based their rhythm arrangements on material that Mittoo had pioneered in
the sixties. In 1990, Mittoo entered hospital on December 12 and died of cancer on December 16.
He was 42 years old.

ROLAND ALPHONSO
Born: Jan 12, 1931
Havana
Cuba
Died: Nov 20, 1998

Saxophonist Roland Alphonso aka 'The Chief Musician' was one of the major figures of early ska and reggae on several fronts: his recordings as a
soloist and bandleader, his work as a member of the Skatalites, his prolific log of session appearances on 1960s Jamaican recordings, and his role as arranger for Studio One. He was born
in Cuba in 1931 to a Jamaican mother and Cuban father, and moved to
Jamaica with his mother when he was two years old. He suffered a burst blood vessel in his head during a Skatalites show in Hollywood in November 1998 and died after another burst vessel a
few weeks later.

WINSTON GRENNAN
Born: Sept 16, 1944
St Thomas
Jamaica
Died: Oct 27, 2000

Winston Grennan, was one of Jamaica's outstanding drummers. He helped define rock steady in the mid 60s, and was the leading drummer in the island's top session bands. He continued to back every noteworthy artist in Jamaica, in
the early reggae period, including Bob Marley. As a premier exponent of the rock-steady idiom and creator of the one-drop beat, Grennan is among Jamaica's original master drummers,
one who has created a unique playing style and made important contributions to the island's popular music.
In April of 2000, Winston was diagnosed with lung and bone cancer and passed away on October 27, 2000.

MR BOGLE
Born: Aug 22, 1964
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Jan 20, 2005

Years in the Dancehall Industry with moves that branded him as Jamaica’s
#1 male dancer, Bogle aka Mr Wacky (Born Gerald Levy) is a legend that lives on, even after his death. He invented dance moves that put Dancehall Music
on the map. Bogle had the ability to create dances with out effort and would end up having the world do the new dance. Creator of the Willie Bounce, Wacky Dip, Urkle Dance, Bogle Dance, Pelper, LOY, Jerry Springer, Zip It Up, World Dance, Out and Bad, Sweeper, Stuckie, and many other popular dances.
In the Nineties, Levy created the Bogle, the scene's first crossover dance move. He was also a major influence on breakout artists such as Elephant Man and Beenie Man, who gave shout-outs
to Levy in songs like 'Row Like a Boat'.
He was killed in a drive-by shooting in the early morning hours of January 20th 2005 in Kingston, Jamaica.

CLANCY ECCLES
Born: Dec 9, 1940
Dean Pen
Jamaica
Died: June 30, 2005

Clancy Eccles made important contributions to the evolution of Jamaican popular music during the late 1960s and early 1970s, as a singer, record producer and concert promoter; as a social activist, Eccles also helped produce significant changes to Jamaica's political landscape during the same era.
It began in 1959, when as a 19-year-old singer he recorded for pioneer producer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd his first sound system hit with the spiritual and socially strong 'Freedom' before scoring with even bigger hits with River Jordan, Feel The Rhythm, Sweet Jamaica and Fatty Fatty. Eccles launched different record labels for his works and
recorded artists such as Alton Ellis, Joe Higgs, the Trinidian Lord Creator ('Kingston Town'), Beres Hammond and many more. Eccles died on June 30, 2005 in Spanish Town Hospital from complications of a stroke.

TOMMY MCCOOK
Born: March 3, 1927
Havana
Cuba
Died: May 5, 1998

Thomas Matthew McCook was born of Jamaican parentage in Havana and in 1933 they returned to Jamaica. He developed his musical skills when attending the famed Alpha School for boys from the age of ten.
As leader of the Skatalites and also the group's elder statesman, Tommy was a determinedly cool head within the group and a musician of immeasurable ability. During a career that spanned more than half a century, McCook brought his expertise in the field of jazz and knowledge of Latin rhythms and
melodies to provide greater variety to
the nascent forms of ska, rock steady and reggae and played on literally thousands of recording sessions throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
During his later years, Tommy lived in the United States at Atlanta, Georgia
and died there from heart failure on
May 5, 1998.

MIKEY DREAD
Born: 1954
Port Antonio
Jamaica
Died: March 15, 2008

Michael 'Mikey Dread' Campbell started out as an engineer with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC). He soon started his own radio program called Dread At The Controls, where he played nothing but reggae. Well-known for its fun and adventurous sonic style, Dread At The Controls became a hit all over Jamaica. By the time, Campbell had earned a solid reputation as a singer
and producer and began recording his own material. Distinctive albums such as Dread At The Controls, Evolutionary Rockers, and World War III all became favorites amongst reggae fans. His collaboration with producers King Tubby and Carlton Patterson stand out as some of the best work each party has done. Mikey also set up his Dread at the Controls label and worked successfully with the punkband The Clash. In Oct. 2007, it was announced that Campbell was being treated for a brain tumour.
He passed away on March 15 2008.

JOE GIBBS
Born: 1943
Montego Bay
Jamaica
Died: Feb 21, 2008

Producer Joe Gibbs born Joel A. Gibson career spans a healthy chunk of Jamaica's musical history. From the
early days of rocksteady to '80s dancehall, Gibbs put together a slew of hits by such island stars as Pioneers, Dennis Brown, the Heptones, Culture (The 1977 Culture album Two Sevens Clash is probably Gibbs' most internationally acclaimed production) Frankie Paul, and Nicky Thomas. Along with his contemporary, producer Bunny "Striker" Lee, Gibbs can lay claim to being one of the most important of Jamaica's musical giants, due not only
to the fact he stayed active for such a lengthy amount of time, but also
because he was able to produce a consistent run of hits of the highest order. He revolutionised the dub sound and made it an international phenomenon.Gibbs died of a heart
attack on thursday feb 21 2008, at the age of 65.

CEDELLA BOOKER
Born: July 23, 1926
St. Ann
Jamaica
Died: April 8, 2008

Cedella Booker, born in 1926 in Jamaica, was 18 when she married Norval
Marley, a British man 32 years her senior. She gave birth to Bob Marley in 1945 who brought Jamaican reggae music to international prominence, becoming its international image.
Booker was best-known for her famous son, but she was also an author and musician. Her two books about Bob Marley offered glimpses into his
personal life. Booker released two albums, Awake Zion in 1991, and in the following year a collection of Caribbean folk songs for children called Smilin' Island of Song. She also frequently performed with Bob Marley's sons Ky-Mani, Ziggy, Stephen, Damian and
Julian. She died peacefully on April 8, 2008 at her South Florida home after a long illness. She was 81. Booker is survived by two children, Claudette Livingston and Richard Booker,
and 52 grandchildren.

ROY SHIRLEY
Born: July 18, 1944
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: July, 2008

Roy Shirley also known as King Roy Shirley and The High Priest was a Jamaican singer whose career spanned the ska, rocksteady and reggae eras, and whose "Hold Them" is regarded by some as the first ever rocksteady song. Roy began singing in talent contests in the late 1950s. Encouraged by fellow artist Jimmy Cliff, who introduced him
on stage during one of his first performances, Roy turned professional
in his teens. His early recordings for producer Simeon L Smith remain unreleased, but his debut, the ballad Shirley (1965) was a local ska hit. Roy then formed the Leaders vocal group with Ken Boothe, Joe White and Chuck Josephs before joining the first incarnation of the Uniques with Slim Smith and Franklyn White, recording for Sir JJ label and Caltone.
Based in England from 1973, in recent years he set up British Universal Talent Development Association, to support disaffected youth. He continued to perform in Jamaica and north America, and his last show took place at the Sierra Nevada world music festival in June. Roy Shirley died of a heart attack at his home in Thamesmead, London in July 2008, aged 63.

ALTON ELLIS
Born: Sept 1, 1938
Kingston
Jamaica
Died: Oct 10, 2008

Alton Ellis best known as one of the innovators of rocksteady music, was often referred to as the 'Godfather of Rocksteady', began his career as a dancer at the age of sixteen. After two years, Alton took an interest in singing. His debut was as a vocal duo named Alton and Eddy. Their first recording on the Coxsone label, 'Muriel', was a major hit in Jamaican recording history. After Eddy left Jamaica to live in America, Alton formed a group named 'Alton and The Flames'.They recorded a large number of hit songs on the Treasure
Isle label, including 'Dance Crashers',
Girl I've got a Date', 'Rock Steady' and 'Black Mans Pride'. After three years
with Alton and The Flames, Alton launched his career as a solo artist and joined the Studio One Label in 1967.
The amount of hits that Alton created during this period is so enormous that to mention them all would be impossible. 'I'm Still in Love', 'Breaking Up' and 'I'm Just a Guy' were just a few. In 2004,
Ellis was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in recognition of his achievements. In December 2007 he was diagnosed with cancer and died on October 10, 2008 at Hammersmith Hospital, West London.

BYRON LEE
Born: June 27, 1935
Christiana, Manchester
Jamaica
Died: Nov 4, 2008

Byron Lee was a major figure of Caribbean popular music. As leader of the Dragonaires,(one of Jamaica's top show bands, a 14-piece outfit whose line-up was always changing, touring throughout the Caribbean and into
North America,spreading the ska sound) he helped to build the careers of dozens of the island's most talented vocalists.
He was also instrumental in raising the profile of Jamaican music and boosted the popularity of calypso on the island
by collaborating with other leading
stars. He went on to establish Dynamic
Sounds, one of the largest and best-equipped recording facilities in the Caribbean, where much of the most popular reggae was recorded, and
later concentrated on producing soca, the up-tempo successor to calypso. In 2007 Byron Lee was diagnosed with cancer,despite his cancer, Byron Lee continued to tour. In October 2008,
after receiving treatment for several weeks in Florida, Lee returned to
spend his final days in Jamaica.
In a ceremony at the University Hospital of the West Indies on October 26, 2008, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica. Lee died on the 4th of November 2008, aged 73.

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