Isaacs was born in Denham Town c.1946, and was the first of 16 children for his mother. Isaacs recorded a version of Stevie Wonder's "A Place In The Sun" in 1968 for producer Lee Perry, and this was one of the records that established Trojan Records as a major force in reggae. The song was re-recorded for Isaacs' debut album, Place In The Sun, released in 1976.

Typical of Jamaican underground artistes in the 1960s, Isaacs recorded for different producers but never got his break until he was in his early 30s. The best known of his songs from that period was A Place In The Sun which was done for producer Lee 'Scratch' Perry.

A Place In The Sun and a cover of Stranger On The Shore were among several sides Isaacs cut for Perry's Upsetter label. His songs for the eccentric Perry were generally released in the United Kingdom, where the producer had a cult following among Caribbean immigrants and rebellious British youth.

In 1979, Isaacs recorded "Just Like The Sea", in combination with deejay Jah Thomas, and released a second album, More Love, produced by Witty Reid. In 1982, he teamed up with Winston "Niney" Holness for the album Happy Ending, released on Dynamic Sounds, which had been preceded by the Love & Devotion set. It remains his biggest hit.

Isaacs was also a member of roots-reggae group, The Itals, which he joined in 1997. He recorded five solo albums, the last of which, Happy Ending, was released in 1982.

Isaacs also had a spell as a member of The Itals, joining the group in 1997.
David Isaacs died in December 2009. His sister Beverley found him dead at their Denham Town home on the morning of 21 December.

Singles
• "I'd Rather Be Lonely" (1966), Island
• "Place In The Sun" (1968), Upsetter/Trojan
• "Can't Take It Anymore" (1969)
• "He'll Have To Go" (1969)
• "I've Got Memories" (1969)
• "Dark Moon"
• "Good Father"
• "Love Has Join Us"
• "Who To Tell"
• "You'll Be Sorry" (1971)
• "Just Enough" (1973) Bread
• "Stranger on the Shore" (1973), Upsetter
• "Hard Road to Travel" (1977), Roots From The Yard
• "Breaking Up" Hulk
• "Think That You're Smart", Roots Rock International
• "Just Like A Sea" (1979), Cartridge/Errol T/Steppers (with Jah Thomas)
• "More Love" (1979), Cartridge
• "She Loves Me Now" 12" (19??), Striker Lee
• "Love Me With All Your Heart", Bushays (with Trinity)
• "Seems I'm Losing You", VP
• "I Went to Your Wedding", Ossie Sounds
• "Sometimes When We Touch", Top Rankin' Muzik
• "Jah Love I", Chanan-Jah
Albums
• Place In The Sun (1976), Culture Press, also released as Til I Can't Take It on Hulk
• More Love (1979), J&M
• Love & Devotion (1981), Imperial
• Happy Ending (1982), Dynamic Sounds
• To Sir With Love, Jamaica Authentic

Artist Website

Jamaican producer and recording artist Vivian Jackson, who became a power on the Kingston roots reggae scene of the '70s under the moniker Yabby You, died after suffering an aneurysm on Jan. 12. He was 63.
Reared in poverty, Jackson was stricken at 17 with arthritis, which would force him to walk on crutches later in life. As a youth he worked as a potter and a racetrack tout.
In 1971, he formed a group, the Prophets with bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett (of Lee Perry's Upsetters and the Wailers), guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith, and drummer Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace. Though he grew his hair in the tangled dreadlocks favored by Rastafarian religious cultists, his devout Christianity was reflected in his lyrics, earning him the nickname "Jesus Dread."
Jackson's breakthrough came in 1972, when he cut "Conquering Lion" on free studio time granted by legendary producer Osbourne "King Tubby" Ruddock. The song became a hit in Jamaica, and its vocal refrain -- "be-you, yabby yabby you" -- was foreshortened into his professional handle.
The tune's tough rhythm track was transformed into technologically manipulated "dub" by King Tubby and a "toast" -- a rap -- by top DJ Big Youth. It was recut as "Lord of Lords" by Jackson's teenage protégé Wayne Wade in 1976. The "Conquering Lion" album of 1975 was equally popular, and its limited dub edition "King Tubby's Prophecy of Dub" became a much-coveted collector's item.
Yabby You's 1978 album "Deliver Me From My Enemies" helped him attain U.K. stardom at the height of roots reggae's popularity there.
He worked extensively as a producer with other gifted Jamaican talents, including DJs Dillinger, Trinity and Tappa Zukie and singers like founding Black Uhuru member Michael Rose and Willi Williams, originator of the Clash's hit "Armagideon Time."
Yabby You gained wider recognition via a series of handsomely produced collections of his vintage work issued by Blood & Fire Records in the U.K. during the '90s.
Artist Website

Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson contribution towards Jamaica’s music and culture is priceless. He has helped to create what we now enjoy as Dancehall music and made way for the new generation of Dancehall/Reggae music producers. With more than three decades of solid hits Steely has an enviable repertoire and is a true legend of Jamaican music.

Steely & Clevie, aka Wycliffe Johnson and Cleveland Browne, is a Jamaican dancehall reggae production duo. The duo has worked with artists such as the Specials, Gregory Peck ("Poco Man Jam", 1990), Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, and No Doubt.

Steely debuted as a keyboardist with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion collective in the 1970s. Clevie pioneered the use of drum machines in reggae. Steely and Clevie first played together at Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studios during the late 1970s. In 1986, the duo was the house band at King Jammy's Studio, which became the center point of late-1980s reggae, by which time Steely & Clevie were established production leaders with an immense slew of 12-inch and dub singles. The duo formed the Steely & Clevie label in 1987, a year in which reggae riddims and dub-influenced hip-hop production by Ced Gee and KRS-One in the Bronx became prominent.

He started his musical journey as a keyboard player for Sugar Minott’s Youth Man Promotion in the late 70’s. Steely and Clevie first played together in the 70’s at Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Arts Studio, then by 1986 they were working at King Jammy’s Studio. Steely & Clevie launched their own label during the mid-eighties when Jammy’s was the center of the new sound in reggae music (computer based rhythms).

During the reign of Jammy’s during the mid-eighties Steely and Clevie composed a large majority of the instrumentals for Jammy’s label. The production duo worked with some of the biggest names in Reggae and Dancehall music from two time Grammy winner Shabba Ranks, Maxi Priest, Tiger, Foxy Brown (Jamaican 80’s singer) Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Cocoa Tea, and Dennis Brown etc.

Steely and Clevie continued to make hits in the 90’s creating the super popular Street Sweeper, Ice Pick, Bitter Blood and Bad Weather Rhythms. Steely and Clevie are the composers of the undeniably the most popular dancehall instrumental known as the “Punnany Riddim” which was produced by King Jammy. This instrumental has been sampled and re-used more than any other Dancehall track.

Steely died on September 1, 2009, in a hospital in East Patchogue, New York. He was suffering from pneumonia after having recovered from kidney complications in December 2008. He had surgery for a blood clot in the brain shortly before he died.

*BEAR from linkageradio.com

Artist Website

The Internationally acclaimed Godfather of reggae, the king of Rock Steady. Alton Ellis was born in kingston, Jamaica, and began his career as a dancer at the age of sixteen. After achieving many awards in this field over a two year period, 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.

His first album 'Rock and Soul', released on the Studio One label was a Giant, paving the way for the many that were to follow over the years to come. Alton left Jamaica in 1969 to spend two years in Toronto, Canada. He returned home for a period of three years and left again in 1974 to make his permanent home in London, England. Alton has worked with every significant artist in the Reggae field, he has taught many upcoming artists. He is well respected by all who know him and revered by some. Alton has performed in Europe, The United Kingdom, The United States, Canada and The West Indies. He made a dramatic impression in Sunsplash 1983.

Alton has received awards in recognition of his outstanding achievements as an artist and his contribution to the Reggae Music Industry from the following: The Jamaican cultural Development Commission, British Music Industry, Black Echoes, The Voice, Reggae Hall of Fame and KGFJ, a Los Angeles radio station.

The prolific singer, who began his career in the 1950s and fronted vocal group The Flames, was diagnosed with cancer in 2007.

Ellis underwent chemotherapy before returning to the stage, but died in London's Hammersmith hospital on Friday night October 10, 2008.

He leaves more than 20 children.

Artist Website

Michael Campbell, a.k.a. Mikey Dread was one of the most influential performers and innovators in reggae music. His abilities, technical expertise, and unique vocal delivery combined to create a unique sound that told the listener emphatically that it was the “Dread at the Controls.”

Mikey Dread's avid interest in reggae music led him to acquire an immense collection of crucial vinyl which he used to gain notoriety as a young DJ and audio engineer with the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) where he began his broadcasting career in 1976. There he developed his own unique broadcasting style, which has been adopted by virtually every reggae radio show in Jamaica and the world today. His radio show, which became known as "Dread at the Controls," was firmly established as the ‘Number One Radio Show’ in Jamaica. Mikey Dread was awarded "Top Radio Personality of the Year in 1977-1978."

In 1979, after many altercations with management and then program director about him playing too much reggae on the radio Mikey Dread resigned from JBC.

Mikey Dread recorded his first single "Barber Saloon." "Barber Saloon" charted at #1 on the local Jamaican Radio Charts. He recorded several Top 10-reggae singles in 1978 and produced his first albums "Dread at the Controls" (Trojan Records-London) and "African Anthem" (A Special Edition from Jamaica's radio program for Cruise Records-UK).

In 1979 Mikey Dread performed live at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica along with other featured artists including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Inner Circle, and Third World.

On February 21st, 2007 Mikey Dread has been invited to perform and to give an interview at the “Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame,” in Cleveland, Ohio.

On March 15, 2008 Mikey Dread lost a battle to a brain tumor. Despite his death his legacy will continue.

Artist Website

Foresight, professionalism, vigour, and commitment are a just a few of the principles that govern the life of a man many call the Dragon. The name Byron Lee to those in the business means a man who can take an idea and market it with a sales force as competent as any major corporation. He is undoubtedly one of Jamaica’s finest musical ambassadors and with 46 years of experience and over 150 awards he continues to command respect and admiration world-wide.

“From the onset, I was determined that my band would be a band of well dressed, clean professionals. I am pleased to say that in all my years of touring we have never had any incident involving a member of my band whilst on tour,” he states. He attributes the success of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires to the image and reputation of a band, comprising of slick-looking members, which would take minimum breaks, play good music and ensure that patrons got their monies worth.

For persons who know Byron Lee one comment is repeated over and over – that the Dragon demands respect and discipline from any person who he has to deal with. But it had to be hard work, discipline and commitment that made a band this successful.

Even though Byron Lee may have been able to read music in school, he had no pretensions to being a musician. Football was his first love, and scoring goals was what he did best. However, in a moment of wild abandon after the game, Byron and some of the boys – Carl Brady, Ronnie Nasralla, Alty East and Ronald Peralto - got together and, with some crude instruments, consisting of a door, a box for their drum, spoons, a grater for percussion, and Byron Lee with an antique guitar, harmonised.

Nov 5th 2008: Byron "The Dragon" Lee passed away peacefully on November 4, after a valiant battle with cancer. But the memory of his phenomenal presence in the music of Jamaica, the wider Caribbean and, indeed, the world to which he helped introduce Jamaican music - will live on through the dynamic band that he founded: Byron Lee and The Dragonaires. With mega hits, such as "Jamaica Ska", "Tiney Winey" and "Dancehall Soca", the band's music has spanned and remained relevant and popular over its more than 50-year existence. The world-famous band will continue to entertain and to bring the music of Jamaica and the Caribbean to a worldwide audience. The Dragon may be gone but he lives on through the Dragonaires!

Artist Website

King Roy Shirley , the High Priest, the icon of Reggae and Soul Music, is a born gifted song writer and multi-talented singer and musician. Starting as a singer in the Church choir with his mother, he developed his musical talent by learning the guitar and progressed with the help of Jimmy Cliff and band leaders Mr Barron Lee and Mr Sonny Bradshaw and the late Drum Bago, in the early sixties. King Roy Shirley was the man who created the one drop beat in Jamaica which was, with hindsight, to have proved to be the inspirational foundation for popularising West Indian music and was taken up by Bob Marley, Johnny Nash and UB40. The One-drop led into the Rock Steady beat, from which came the rolling sounds of Reggae, Lovers Rock and Raggamuffin. His record ‘Hold Them’ went to an international number one and revolutionised music for ever. It wasn’t just the music which changed, King Roy Shirley’s stage presence, and antics, made history too. He is famous for his colourful outfits, his frenetic energy, his contact with the audience and his ability to move, rouse and satisfy the crowd.

It is with deep sadness and loss that I have to announce the death of the Great King Roy Shirley the High Priest, the Icon of Reggae and Soul Music. He died at his home in Thamesmead, England on July 21, 2008. Roy spent many years helping to set up projects aimed at the young and vulnerable, to give them another way to develop their talents which would lead them away from violence and into the world of accomplishment and achievement. He was the Founder member of the British Universal Talent Development Association, BUTDA, which aimed to offer workshops and courses for young people so that they could continue their education or go into employment. The Executive Committee of BUTDA send their condolences to any who may have known, worked or been friends with Roy, and join them in their feelings of loss for such a creative and gentle man of music. Any further information about Funeral or Memorial Services will be posted when available. Roy's last eartly performance was at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in June this year. see Sierra Nevada World Music Festival for tributes and King Roy Shirley to sign guestbook.

Artist Website

Lucky Dube has been hailed as 'The shining star of African reggae (afropop.com) and 'South Africa's biggest selling contemporary artist' (Mail & Guardian). However, he isn't merely this, he's a modern day hero with a message that has touched millions of people's hearts around the world. With an incredible 21 albums under his musical belt, he has proved himself one of not only South Africa's, but also the world's greatest reggae superstars. A man with superb musical taste and genuis, an artist with a message, with a reason and a rhyme behind everything he does.

As one can judge by listening to his music, he has a message on every album. His songs are based on three main things - political issues, social issues and personal issues - things that play an important role in everyone's lives. When asked what inspires him (Lucky), he humbly notes - 'People! Looking at people, watching people's movements, the things they do. My songs are based on real life situations and experiences.'

From the release of his first reggae album in 1984, to his present superstar status today, Lucky has maintained the humble nature that brings him closer to the people that so inspire his music. He has toured the world more times over than anyone could dream of and shared stages with names such as Maxi Priest, Sinead O-Connor, Peter Gabriel, Michael Jackson, Seal, Ziggy Marley, Celine Dion, Sting and many, many others. He has raked in over 20 local and international awards for his music and videos, yet as a person he is unaffected by his success. Still living in the country that gave him birth, he records with his original sound engineer and belongs to the same record comany. A true gentleman, Lucky's down-to-earth nature is one of his finest qualities.

His music is riddled with the desire to make the world a better place.

Massive hits such as Taxman, Prisoner, The Way It Is, Victims, Trinity and many others have catapulted him into the homes and hearts of people all over the world. He sees through the ridiculous, the injustices, the everyday problems we all have to deal with as human beings, and slices through to the heart of it. His incredible repertoire is a cornucopia of mixed emotions, questioning attitudes and a simple love of a good melody and a good vibe.

Unfortunatetly on October 19, 2007, A team of gunmen shot and killed Lucky Dube, an international reggae star and one of South Africa's best-known musicians, in an apparent carjacking attempt late Thursday that underscored the continuing peril of violent crime here.

Dube, 43, what shot by three hijackers in Rosettenville, just south of downtown Johannesburg, as he dropped off his teenage son at his brother's house. Another child, a 16-year-old daughter, was in the car at the time, the police said.

The hijackers fled after Dube crashed his car into a tree. He died at the scene.

Lucky Dube will always be remembered.

Artist Website

Formed in the rich tradition of harmony trios in 1976, Culture quickly became a part of the vibrant, politically charged Jamaican reggae scene of the day.  Originally known as the African Disciples, the line-up consisted of Joseph Hill (lead vocals), Albert Walker (backing vocals) and Kenneth Dayes (backing vocals).  Hill was the only member of the trio who had prior studio experience – having worked at Coxsone Dodd’s legendary Studio One as a percussionist with the Soul Defenders group in the early 1970’s.  It was also at Studio One that Hill first recorded as a vocalist.

Shortly after Culture came together, they began working with the ‘Mighty Two’ – producer Joe Gibbs and engineer Errol Thompson.  While at Gibbs’ studio, the singers recorded a series of powerful singles, many of which ended up on their successful debut album ‘Two Sevens Clash’.  This initial release was hugely popular in both Jamaica and England.  The lyrics demonstrated Hill’s keen awareness of the connection between Jamaica’s history and its current social climate.  While the songs may have been dealing with serious issues, at the same time the group always recognized the value of a catchy beat – a sensibility shared by U.K. punks at the time.  At once Culture became part of a wave of vocal groups (including the Mighty Diamonds, Black Uhuru, the Meditations and countless others) that ruled the reggae scene for a brief while in the late 70’s.

After their success with Gibbs, the group went on to make a string of albums for producer Sonia Pottinger.  Culture began working with some of the premier musicians of the day including Robbie Shakespeare, Sly Dunbar, Ansel Collins, Cedric Brooks and the ever-present percussionist Sticky.  Virgin Records picked up the albums, and that added distribution enabled Culture to gain an even larger following outside of Jamaica.  In recent months Virgin has begun re-issuing most of its reggae catalog from the late 70’s, so once again these early Culture albums are readily available.

In 1982 the three singers went their own ways.  Joseph Hill carried on using the Culture name, and recorded the ‘Lion Rock’ album, which was released in the United States by Heartbeat Records.  For their part, Walker and Dayes recorded a handful of songs on their own – a few of which turned up on an album titled ‘Roots & Culture’.

In 1986 the original line-up reformed to record two highly regarded albums – ‘Culture in Culture’ and ‘Culture at Work’.  These releases marked the beginning of a very busy period for the group, including annual albums and countless tours.  The U.S. label Shanachie released a steady stream of new and old Culture albums up to ’Wings Of A Dove’ in 1992.

In 1993 Kenneth Dayes left the group and was temporarily replaced by the singer from Dub Mystic – who was their backing band at the time.  With Dub Mystic, Culture reached new heights that included the release of two popular studio albums (‘One Stone’ and ‘Trust Me’) and a live album (‘Cultural Livity’).

Today, Culture consists of Hill, Walker and Telford Nelson.  After a lengthy career on his own, Nelson joined on harmony vocals in 1999.  In concert the group is currently backed by the DC based band ‘Forces of Justice’.  These accomplished musicians have been behind Culture for many years, playing several well-received tours in Europe, Africa and North America.

Culture continues to be in demand in the studio as well.  In 2000 the group recorded the album ‘Payday’, which was followed by a much-praised dub album mixed by the renowned engineer, Scientist.  In the same year a very contemporary sounding album called ‘Humble African’ appeared on VP Records.  Since then RAS Records have issued a CD and DVD set titled 'Live in Africa' - taken from a historic show the group performed in South Africa in December of 2000. The DVD, the group's first, offers proof of just how lively and intense a Culture performance can be. More recently, the US label Roots & Culture have released a live album recorded in Jamaica - 'Live in Negril'. In addition, the group have already recorded material for a new studio album - so fans can look forward to some fresh material later in 2003 (The 'World Peace' CD will be out on Heartbeat Records on June 17, 2003).

While Culture has now been around for 27 years, Joseph Hill and friends are showing no signs of slowing down.  Hill has lost none of his striking stage presence and fiery energy over the years.  The group has sustained their lengthy career by being both true to their cultural roots, and at the same time able to incorporate new sounds and ideas into their mix.  To their credit the group has never been content to be a mere oldies act.  Culture has proved to be one of the few acts in reggae that can always be relied on – both on record, and on stage.  As reggae music goes, a Culture concert is both a tribute to the past and a glimpse of the future …. Not to mention a whole lot of fun.
2003, Jim Dooley

2006 UPDATE
Following the release of World Peace in 2003 Culture continued to actively tour around the world. In 2004 they played at the first edition of the highly successful Montreal Reggae Festival. Joseph Hill was inducted into the Reggae Walk of Fame, and was presented an Independence Award by the Jamaican Prime Minister in 2005. In 2006 the group performed a number of concerts including the 'Bob Marley 61st Birthday Celebration' in Ghana and Reggae Sunspash.

Joseph Hill suddenly became ill while the group were on tour in Europe and passed away in Berlin Germany on August 19 2006. The group decided to finish the European tour with Kenyatta Hill (Joseph's son and Culture's audio engineer) singing lead vocals as a tribute to his father. On September 8th a tribute concert took place in Kingston Jamaica and featured an all-star line-up of artists that ranged from Luciano to Bunny Wailer. A memorial service for Hill took place in Kingston the following day. Tentative plans are for Kenyatta Hill to continue to tour and record in his father's place with Culture.

Artist Website