Monday, August 27, 2012

THIS DAY IN REGGAE

Inspired by Jah Itagaki's This Day In Reggae feature on his site, Reggae Life, here are additional birthdays and other historical information on reggae artists. This info will occasionally be used to enhance the Reggae Explorations program and may also be of interest to others. If you would like something to either be added or revised, contact Mike Roots.
JANUARY 1, 1947- Singer/songwriter Sonny Okosuns born in Benin City, Nigeria (passed, May 24, 2008 at age 61).

JANUARY 6, 1986- Singer Craig C (born Collin Craig Chambers) born in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I.

JANUARY 7, 1970- Singer and musician Kevon Thomas born in Point Fortin, Trinidad, W.I.

JANUARY 12, 2010- Roots reggae singer and producer Yabby You (born Vivian Jackson) dies at the age of 63 (born August 14, 1946) after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm.

JANUARY 15, 2002- Trinidadian band Mission Epistle founded.

JANUARY 18, 1981- Mario Rocha, lead singer of roots reggae band Living Stone born in Riverside, CA.

JANUARY 26, 1970- Gospel singer, songwriter and author Kirk Franklin born in Fort Worth, TX.

JANUARY 27, 1981- Dancehall artist Mr. Gallimore (born Kemar Gallimore) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

JANUARY 28, 2009- Dancehall deejay Moses (born Kasim Grant) mysteriously found dead in a ravine in Gordon Town, St. Andrew, Jamaica, W.I. at the age of 28 (born November 29, 1980) after a reported dispute the night before.

JANUARY 30- Singer and musician Avion Blackman born in San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I.

FEBRUARY 3, 1980- Singer Omari Edwards born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

FEBRUARY 4, 1976- Reggae reporter and operator of Lamb Vibration Sound, Alexander Diescher System born in Germany.

FEBRUARY 14, 1979- Artist and producer Sherwin Gardner born in Arima, Trinidad, W.I.

FEBRUARY 17, 1961- Singer and composer Owen Uriah (born Owen Uriah Sadler) born in Birmingham, UK.

FEBRUARY 24, 1978- Singer, dancehall deejay and songwriter Radic (born Kemoy Rowe) born in Spanish Town, Jamaica.

FEBRUARY 27- Singer Zamar (born Steve Stoddart) born in Kinloss, Trelawny, Jamaica.

MARCH 1, 1969- Singer, songwriter, review writer and radio deejay Mike Roots (born Michael Killiany) born in Winsted, CT.

MARCH 4, 1974- Singer Chevelle Franklyn born in the Tawes Pen section of Spanish Town, St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I.

MARCH 7, 1983- Dancehall artist and half of the brother duo Avalanchee, Mario Gibson born in Nassau, Bahamas.

MARCH 12- Roots reggae singer, songwriter and musician Dominic Balli born in Arcadia, CA.

MARCH 12- Teddy Chadwick, singer, musician and founder of Messianic roots reggae band Yerubilee born in Philadelphia, PA.

MARCH 14- Singer Craig C murdered in Portmore, St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I. at the age of 25 (born January 6, 1986).

MARCH 18, 1974- Dancehall deejay Freshstart (born Wayne Clarke) born in Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, W.I.

MARCH 20, 1987- Joel Murray, recognized to the public as Positive, was born in Scarborough, Tobago.

MARCH 26, 1978- Drummer and co-founder of Daily Bread Dub Band, Jah Son I (born Jason Gorczyca) born in Houston, TX.

APRIL 3- Roots reggae artist Zema born in Dearborn, MI.

APRIL 6, 1946- Singer, MC and producer Tommy Cowan (born Thomas Lincoln Cowan) born in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, W.I.

APRIL 6- Dancehall artist St. Matthew (born Matthew Golding) born in Kingston, Jamaica.

APRIL 10, 1970- Dub poet, writer, playwright and actor Alan Charles born in London, UK.

APRIL 13, 2005- Trinidadian band Mission Epistle releases their debut album "Stand Up."

APRIL 14, 1970- Kent Johnson, singer and founder of Christian Massive, born in Nassau, Bahamas.

APRIL 27, 1974- Singer Bob David born in Grenada, W.I.

APRIL 27, 1985- Singer, songwriter and musician Ronnel Benjamin born in Antigua, W.I.

APRIL 28- Sound system operator and radio deejay DJ Proclaima born in Nottingham, UK.

MAY 1, 1991- Dancehall artist John I born in parish of St. Mary, Jamaica, W.I.

MAY 4, 1984- Dancehall artist Mr. Danny (born Dannell Flaveny) born in Chaguanas, Trinidad, W.I.

MAY 10- Singer and composer Dwain Walters (born Dwain Andrew Walters) born in Manchester, Jamaica, W.I.

MAY 11, 1968- Producer, artist and recording engineer Jah Servant (born Mark Giles) born in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland, Canada.

MAY 16- Obie Obien, guitarist with Christafari born in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA.

MAY 17, 1970- Singer Leary Marshall born in Kingston, Jamaica.

MAY 17, 1978- Rapper and dancehall deejay Richie Righteous (born Richard Ishmael) born in Guyana, South America.

MAY 17, 1980- Singer, composer and producer Mr. Lynx (born Andrew Cartwright) born in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

MAY 23- Drummer and producer Dr. Dizzle (born Dale Virgo) born in Portmore, Jamaica

MAY 24, 2008- Singer/songwriter Sonny Okosuns passes in Washington, DC to colon cancer at age 61 (born January 1, 1947).

MAY 25, 1956- Reggae singer, producer and sound system operator Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott born in Kingston, Jamaica.

MAY 26- Singer and songwriter Ricardo Clarke born in Nassau, Bahamas.

MAY 28, 1978- Singer, songwriter and drummer Dwight Piper born in La Plaine, Dominica.

JUNE 1, 1962- Artist and producer Tony Rich (Tony Richards) born in St. Andrew, Kingston, Jamaica.

JUNE 2, 1976- Dancehall deejay Prodigal Son (born Calvin Whilby) born in St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I.

JUNE 6,1984- Singer Edward Holland Junior born in London, UK.

JUNE 12- Singer Nehilet Blackman born in San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I.

JUNE 13, 1960- Singer/songwriter Ziggy Soul (born Devon Beckford) born in Trench Town, Kingston, Jamaica.

JUNE 15, 1983- Recording artist and songwriter Koen Duncan (born Koen Dwayne Duncan) born in San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I.

JUNE 26, 1981- Dancehall deejay and one half of the brother duo Avalanchee, Marco Gibson born in Nassau, Bahamas.

JUNE 27, 1982- Dancehall deejay, songwriter and producer Jah Pickney (born Timothy Linnard) born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

JUNE 29, 1974- Roots reggae artist, producer and engineer Solomon Jabby (born Peyton Ritter) born in Tallahassee, FL.

JUNE 30- Guitarist and co-founder of Daily Bread Dub Band, Mystic Mike (born Michael Gorczyca) in Houston, TX.

JULY 1, 1966- Dancehall deejay Papa San (born Tyrone Thompson) born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, W.I.

JULY 4, 1968- SInger Lynette White born in Bronx, NY.

JULY 8, 1979- Singer, musician and co-founder of roots reggae band 'Imisi, Jubilee Fohe (born Siupeli Koula Fohe) born on Tongtapu Island, Tonga.

JULY 10, 2010- Reggae singer, producer and sound system operator Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott passes in Kingston, Jamaica due heart condition.

JULY 12, 2000- Singer, songwriter and Father of Soca (and Jamoo) music, Ras Shorty I (born Garfield Blackman) dies at age 59 due to multiple myeloma.

JULY 20, 2010- Dancehall reggae artist Stitchie releases his album Serious Message.

JULY 21, 1966- Roots reggae artist Geneman (born Marvin Kent Stovell) born in Bermuda.

JULY 22, 1980- Singer, musician and composer Jermaine Edwards born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

JULY 23, 1892- Haile Selassie I (born Tafari Makonnen), Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930-1974 born in Ejersa, Goro, Ethiopia.

AUGUST 4, 1974- Singer Landlord (born Orlando Francis) born in Nassau, Bahamas.

AUGUST 7, 1997- On this date, following a near-death car crash on the way to perform at Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica, dancehall reggae artist Stitchie (born Cleve Laing) received a Gideon New Testament Bible from a Canadian Missionary the very night that Stitchie, on returning to his hotel, read the Bible, and was transformed as his
Citizenship was changed by the powerful love and saving grace of JESUS, THE CHRIST.

AUGUST 14, 1946- Roots reggae singer and producer Yabby You (born Vivian Jackson) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

AUGUST 14-  Roots reggae artist Roge' Abergel born in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast).

AUGUST 21, 2010- Singer/songwriter Lester Lewis releases album entitled Kingdom Culture.

AUGUST 25, 1972- Roots reggae artist Wayne Stoddart born in Kinloss Village, Trelawny, Jamaica.

AUGUST 26, 1979- Roots and dancehall singer Emrand Henry (born Zephirinus Henry) born in Fond St. Jacques, St. Lucia.

AUGUST 27, 1975- Emperor of Ethiopia (1930-1974), Haile Selassie I, dies in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at age 83.

SEPTEMBER 6, 1984- Singer Zeelamac (born Simone McDonald) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

SEPTEMBER 19, 1972- Afropop and reggae singer Kenneth Appiah born in Accra, Ghana.

SEPTEMBER 19, 1979- Reggae artist and disc jockey DJ Counselor (born E. Corey Rolle) born in Nassau, Bahamas.

OCTOBER 1, 1954- Singer/songwriter Ben Okafor (born Benedict Chukwudebelu Okafor) born in Enugu, Nigeria.

OCTOBER ?, 1976- Singer and composer Todah (born Jason Ryan O'Neil) born in Arima, Trinidad, W.I.

OCTOBER 6, 1941- Singer, songwriter and Father of Soca (and Jamoo) music, Ras Shorty I (born Garfield Blackman) born in Barrackpore, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

OCTOBER 13- Singer, songwriter and musician Joshua Alo born in Aiea, Hawaii

OCTOBER 14- Producer Danny Brownie born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

OCTOBER 16, 1974- Singer and composer Troy Anthony (born Troy Anthony DeSilva) born in Bermuda.

OCTOBER 17, 1977- Singer, musician and co-founder of reggae band 'Imisi, David Fohe (born Tevita Ka Fohe) born on Tongtapu Island, Tonga. 

OCTOBER 18, 1978- Singer, songwriter and musician Sheldon Blackman born in San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I.

OCTOBER 22, 1964- Recording artist, producer and songwriter TobyMac (born Toby McKeehan) born in Fairfax, VA.

OCTOBER 22, 1985- Dancehall deejay Minister Blessed (born Matthew Blake) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

OCTOBER 23, 1971- Mark Mohr, founder and lead singer of Christafari born in Los Angeles, CA.

OCTOBER 23- Singer and songwriter Jadee (born Jerry Dane Sellier) born in Marabella, San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I.

OCTOBER 28, 1965- Former drummer for Christafari and Temple Yard, Ken Yarnes born.

OCTOBER 28, 1967- Bassist and songwriter of reggae band Katalys Crew and founder of Katsjam Records, Paul Barclay born in Kingston, Jamaica.

OCTOBER 28, 1969- Singer Denis McLean born in London, UK.

OCTOBER 29- Dancehall artist DJ Nicholas (born Nicholas Vacianna Eccleston) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

NOVEMBER 15- Jamaican dancehall reggae artist Mr. Goddy Goddy (born Howard Reynolds) born.

NOVEMBER ?, 1974- Singer Irel (born Irel Wong) born in Bull Bay, St, Andrew, Jamaica, W.I.

NOVEMBER 21- Singer and composer Osmond Collins born in Jamaica, W.I.

NOVEMBER 26, 1982- Recording artist, songwriter and producer Isaac Blackman (born Isaac Benjamin Blackman) born in San Fernando Trinidad, W.I.

NOVEMBER 29, 1980- Dancehall deejay Moses (born Kasim Grant), solo artist and one-half the duo K Gees along with Mr. Gallimore, born in Rema, Trench Town, Jamaica, W.I.

DECEMBER 5, 1966- Singer, songwriter and musician Nigel Lewis born in Tobago, W.I.

DECEMBER 15, 1980- Dancehall deejay DJ Nana (born Christopher Robinson) born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I.

DECEMBER 19- Dancehall artist Tiko (aka Tiko Angelos, born Lyndon Sterling) born in St. Vincent.

DECEMBER 25- Backing vocalist and solo artist Jennifer Howland (born Jennifer Brooke Howland) born in Chicago, IL.

DECEMBER 31, 1986- Singer Eddie Neblett born in Georgetown, Guyana.