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 tr