Jamaican music stars born in 1940
Here are 5 famous musicians from Jamaica were born in 1940:
Joe Higgs
Joe Higgs (June 3, 1940 Kingston-December 18, 1999 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Higgs, Joe was a Jamaican musician.
Discography: Family, Life of Contradiction and Blackman Know Yourself. Genres related to him: Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady and Rhythm and blues.
Joe Higgs was not only a musician, but he was also a mentor and a teacher to many aspiring musicians. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Reggae" due to his significant influence on the genre. Higgs mentored and taught some of Jamaica's most famous musicians, including Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Higgs' musical style was unique, as he blended elements of reggae, ska, rocksteady, and rhythm and blues to create something entirely his own. Along with his solo work, he also collaborated with various artists throughout his career. Despite his success as a musician, he struggled with health issues throughout his life, and tragically passed away in 1999 at the age of 59. Despite his relatively short career, his impact on Jamaican music, and reggae in particular, is immeasurable.
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Derrick Morgan
Derrick Morgan (March 27, 1940 Clarendon Parish-) a.k.a. Morgan, Derrick is a Jamaican musician. His child is called Queen Ifrica.
His albums: Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960-'69, Original Reggae Recordings From 1968-70, The Conqueror, I Am the Ruler, Ska Man Classics, Do the Beng Beng, Blazing Fire, Time Marches On: Derrick Morgan Sings Ska, Rock Steady and Reggae, Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court) and Seven Letters. Genres he performed include Ska, Reggae, Blue Beat and Rocksteady.
Derrick Morgan is known as one of the pioneers of ska music in Jamaica during the 1960s. He started recording music at the age of 17, and scored his first hit with the song "Fat Man" in 1959. His music often featured politically charged lyrics and social commentary, and he was admired for his ability to blend different musical influences to create a unique sound.
In addition to his successful music career, Morgan also owned and operated his own record label, called "Derrick Morgan Music." He helped to launch the careers of many other Jamaican musicians, including the likes of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.
Morgan has been recognized with numerous awards over the years, including the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government in 2003. Despite experiencing health problems in recent years, he continues to perform and tour around the world, sharing his music with audiences far and wide.
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Winston Jarrett
Winston Jarrett (September 14, 1940 Saint Ann Parish-) also known as Jarrett, Winston is a Jamaican singer-songwriter.
His discography includes: Wise Man and Natty Will Fly Again. Genres he performed: Rocksteady and Reggae.
Winston Jarrett began his musical career in the early 1960s as a member of the vocal group The Righteous Flames. He then went on to work as a songwriter for producer Bunny Lee, where he wrote several hits for other artists, including "Stick By Me" for John Holt. In the 1970s, Jarrett recorded several solo albums, including "Wise Man" and "Natty Will Fly Again", which displayed his unique mix of rocksteady and reggae music. He also collaborated with other reggae legends such as The Prophets, The Upsetters and Burning Spear. Winston continues to perform and record music to this day, and is regarded as a pioneer of the reggae music scene in Jamaica.
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Clancy Eccles
Clancy Eccles (December 9, 1940 Saint Mary Parish-June 30, 2005 Spanish Town) also known as Eccles, Clancy, Clancy Eccles & Chorus or Eccles, Clancy & Chorus was a Jamaican record producer.
Genres related to him: Reggae and Ska.
Eccles began his career in music as a singer and songwriter in the late 1950s. In the 1960s, he started producing records for other artists and established his own recording studio, Clancy's Records. Some of his most famous productions include "Freedom" by The Ethiopians and "Django Shoots First" by the Granville Williams Orchestra. Eccles is considered a pioneer of Jamaican music and was instrumental in the development of the rocksteady genre in the late 1960s. He also collaborated with other famous artists such as Bob Marley and Toots and the Maytals. Eccles continued producing and performing music until his death in 2005.
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King Stitt
King Stitt (September 17, 1940 Kingston-January 31, 2012 Kingston) also known as Winston Sparks, Winston Sparkes or The Ugly One was a Jamaican disc jockey.
His albums: Lee Van Cleef / Dance Beat. His related genres: Reggae.
King Stitt, born Winston Sparkes on September 17, 1940 in Kingston, Jamaica, was a renowned Jamaican DJ and pioneer of the popular music genre, reggae. He earned the nickname "The Ugly One" due to his unconventional looks. King Stitt began his career as a DJ in the early 1960s and rose to prominence in Jamaica in the 1970s, thanks to his remarkable skills on the microphone. He was known for his unique toasting delivery, which was characterized by his energetic style, witty lyrics, and ability to hype up the crowd. King Stitt released several hit albums throughout his career, including "Lee Van Cleef" and "Dance Beat". He performed alongside other legendary reggae artists, such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, and collaborated with top music producers in Jamaica. King Stitt passed away on January 31, 2012, in Kingston, leaving behind a rich legacy in the reggae music scene.
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