Jamaican music stars born in 1948
Here are 10 famous musicians from Jamaica were born in 1948:
Grace Jones
Grace Jones (May 19, 1948 Spanish Town-) also known as Grace Mendoza, Crace Jones, The Queen of Gay Discos or Beverly Grace Jones is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, actor, model, artist, singer-songwriter, musician and music artist. She has one child, Paulo Goude.
Her most important albums: Slave to the Rhythm, Slave to the Rhythm, Sex Drive, Portfolio, Fame, Best Of, I've Seen That Face Before (Hell Interpretations), The Collection, Bulletproof Heart and Love on Top of Love (Killer Kiss). Genres she performed: Dancehall, New Romanticism, New Wave, Urban contemporary, Dance-pop, Soul music, Dance music, Disco, Electronic music, Pop music, Rock music, Rhythm and blues, Synthpop, Reggae, House music, Contemporary R&B, Funk, Trip hop, Dub, Experimental music and Avant-garde music.
Grace Jones was born in Jamaica and grew up in Syracuse, New York. She started her career as a model and was discovered by fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez, who brought her to Paris. There, she signed with Island Records and released her debut album, Portfolio, in 1977. She became known for her androgynous look and theatrical performances, which featured elaborate costume changes and acrobatics.
Jones continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, including Nightclubbing and Slave to the Rhythm. She also acted in films such as Conan the Destroyer and A View to a Kill. In the 1990s, she took a break from music to focus on acting and family, but made a comeback in the 2000s with the album Hurricane.
In addition to her music and acting career, Grace Jones is also known for her visual art. She has exhibited her work in galleries around the world, and her art often incorporates elements of her music and performance.
Jones has been an influential figure in music and fashion, and has been cited as an inspiration by artists such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
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Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff (April 1, 1948 Saint James Parish-) also known as James Chambers, Cliff, Jimmy, Jimmy Cliff, OM or El Hadj Naïm Bachir is a Jamaican singer, actor, musician, artist, film score composer and music artist.
His discography includes: Struggling Man, Music Maker, Follow My Mind, In Concert: The Best of Jimmy Cliff, Unlimited, Oh, Jamaica, Give the People What They Want, Special, The Power and the Glory and Cliff Hanger. Genres: Reggae and Ska.
Cliff's most notable achievement is his role in popularizing reggae music across the world. His hits such as "The Harder They Come" and "Many Rivers to Cross" have become iconic for their representation of the struggles and hardships of Jamaican life.
In addition to his music career, Cliff has also acted in numerous films, most notably starring in the 1972 film "The Harder They Come" which helped bring international recognition to reggae music. He has also worked as a composer for film scores, including the 1993 film "Cool Runnings".
In 2003, Cliff was awarded the Order of Merit, one of Jamaica's highest honors, for his contributions to the country's music industry. He continues to tour and perform to this day, and his music remains an influential part of Jamaican and global culture.
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Marcia Barrett
Marcia Barrett (October 14, 1948 Saint Catherine Parish-) also known as Barrett, Marcia is a Jamaican singer.
Genres: Dance-pop, Soul music, Dance music and Rhythm and blues.
Barrett rose to fame as a member of the hugely popular 1970s disco group, Boney M., which sold over 150 million records worldwide. She joined the band in 1975, and her soulful voice became a defining feature of their sound. Some of their biggest hits include "Daddy Cool," "Ma Baker," and "Rivers of Babylon." In addition to her work with Boney M., Barrett also gained success as a solo artist in the 1980s, releasing several albums and singles. Throughout her career, she has remained a popular figure in the music industry, with her contributions to dance-pop, soul, and R&B music continuing to inspire new generations of artists.
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Jackie Mittoo
Jackie Mittoo (March 3, 1948 Brown's Town-December 16, 1990 Toronto) a.k.a. Jakie Mitoo, Jakki or Mittoo, Jackie was a Jamaican , .
His most recognized albums: Jackie Mittoo Now, Best of Old School Reggae, Champion in the Arena 1976 - 1977, Keep on Dancing, Legend of Keyboard King (disc 2), Macka Fat, Jah Rock Style: Grooving With the Keyboard King 1976-1978, Tribute to Jackie Mittoo, Wishbone and The Jackie Mittoo Showcase. Genres he performed: Reggae, Ska, Funk and Rocksteady.
Jackie Mittoo was a talented musician who made a significant contribution to the development of Jamaican music. He began his career as a keyboard player at the age of 13, and he quickly gained fame for his skills on the instrument. In the 1960s, he was a member of The Skatalites, a ska supergroup that helped to popularize the genre both in Jamaica and internationally.
Throughout his career, Mittoo worked with many other Jamaican musicians, including Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh. He also played with the Canadian reggae band, Messenjah, after moving to Toronto in the 1970s.
In addition to his keyboard playing, Mittoo was also a talented songwriter and arranger. He wrote many of his own songs, as well as songs for other musicians. His music was known for its catchy melodies and innovative use of rhythm.
Sadly, Jackie Mittoo passed away at the age of 42 due to cancer. However, his music continues to be celebrated and admired by fans of reggae, ska, funk, and rocksteady around the world.
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Lloyd Parks
Lloyd Parks (May 26, 1948 Kingston-) a.k.a. Lloyds Parks or Parks, Lloyd is a Jamaican singer.
His albums include A Little Better / I'll Be a Man. Genres he performed include Reggae and Rocksteady.
Lloyd Parks began his career in the late 1960s as a member of The Termites before forming his own group, The Webs. He gained popularity with hits such as "Officially" and "Slaving", which were produced by Joe Gibbs. In the 1970s, he became a sought-after session musician and worked with some of the biggest names in reggae music, including Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and The Wailers. Parks also played bass guitar on the classic track "Fade Away" by Junior Byles.
In addition to his music career, Parks also acted in several Jamaican films, including The Harder They Come and Rockers. He eventually transitioned to producing, and has worked with a number of artists, including Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, and Beres Hammond. Parks continues to tour and record, and he is considered one of the most influential singers from Jamaica's golden age of reggae and rocksteady.
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Ken Boothe
Ken Boothe (March 22, 1948 Kingston-) a.k.a. Ken Booth, Ken Boothie, Keith Boothe, Boothe, Ken, Kenneth George Boothe or Ken Boothe OD is a Jamaican singer.
His albums include Black, Gold & Green, Crying Over You - Anthology 1963-1978, A Man and His Hits, Everything I Own, Freedom Street, Groove to the Beat, I Am Just a Man, Live in Paris, Mr. Rock Steady and Natural Feeling. Genres related to him: Reggae, Rocksteady, Ska and Lovers rock.
Ken Boothe is one of the most well-known Jamaican musicians of all time, particularly in the genres of reggae, rocksteady, ska, and lovers rock. Born in Kingston in 1948, he began his career in his early teens as part of a duo called Higgs and Wilson. He later went on to record as a solo artist, producing a string of hits in the 1960s and 1970s.
Boothe's voice is known for its warm, soulful timbre, which perfectly complements his strong stage presence. Some of his most famous songs include "Everything I Own," "Crying Over You," and "Let's Get It On."
In addition to his solo career, Boothe has collaborated with many other musicians over the years, including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and U-Roy. He has also been recognized with numerous awards for his contributions to music, including the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) from the Jamaican government in 2003.
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Errol Thompson
Errol Thompson (December 29, 1948-November 13, 2004) also known as Errol T or Thompson, Errol was a Jamaican engineer and record producer.
His most important albums: The Black Foundation in Dub. Genres: Dub and Reggae.
Errol Thompson started his career as a radio technician in Jamaica before branching out into music production. He is well known for his work with renowned record producer Joe Gibbs, co-founding the studio and label Joe Gibbs Record Globe. Over the course of his career, Thompson worked with many legendary artists in the reggae and dub music scenes, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Peter Tosh, and Dennis Brown. He is credited with pioneering the use of special effects in music production, particularly the use of reverb and echo. Errol Thompson passed away in 2004 after a long battle with kidney disease. His contributions to the music industry and his legacy continue to influence and inspire new generations of artists.
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Renford Cogle
Renford Cogle (June 20, 1948 Kingston-) is a Jamaican songwriter and singer.
His related genres: Rocksteady and Reggae.
Renford Cogle, also known as "Screechy Dan", started his music career in the early 70s as a member of the group The Federals. He later formed his own band, The Mighty Upsetter, and worked as a studio musician for producers like Duke Reid and Coxsone Dodd.
In the 80s, Cogle gained popularity as a solo artist with hits like "Pose Off" and "Dolly My Baby" which he recorded with rapper Supercat. He continued to release music throughout the following decades, collaborating with other artists and releasing solo albums.
Aside from his music career, Cogle has also made appearances in films and television shows such as "Belly" and "The Wire". In 2010, he was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for his contribution to the country's music.
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Dave Barker
Dave Barker (October 10, 1948 Kingston-) otherwise known as David John Crooks is a Jamaican actor and singer.
His albums include Prisoner of Love, Monkey Spanner and Man Next Door / Got to Get Away. Genres related to him: Reggae.
Dave Barker began his career in the music industry as a singer in the late 1960s, initially as part of the duo Dave and Ansel Collins, which produced the hit single "Double Barrel" in 1971. He later pursued a solo career, releasing several albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In addition to his musical pursuits, Barker has also worked as an actor, appearing in the film "The Harder They Come" and the television series "Tales of the Unexpected". He has remained active in the music industry, performing at various concerts and festivals both in Jamaica and internationally. Throughout his career, he has received numerous accolades for his contributions to reggae music, including being honored with the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2019.
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Bunny Rugs
Bunny Rugs (February 6, 1948 Mandeville-February 2, 2014 Orlando) also known as William Clarke, Bunny Scott, Bunny Ruggs, Bunny Clarke or Bunny Rugs was a Jamaican , .
His albums: Talking to You, Time, Grafton 4 By 4 and What A World / Found Love. Genres he performed include Reggae.
Bunny Rugs was most notably known as the lead vocalist for the internationally acclaimed reggae band, Third World. He joined the band in 1976 and remained with them until his passing in 2014. Bunny Rugs' signature soulful voice contributed to massive hits such as "Now That We've Found Love," "96 Degrees in the Shade," and "Try Jah Love." In addition to his work with Third World, Bunny Rugs also had a successful solo career, releasing several albums throughout the years. Bunny Rugs was widely regarded as a pioneer and icon in Jamaican music, and his contributions to the reggae genre are immeasurable. Even after his passing, his music continues to be celebrated and appreciated by generations of fans around the world.
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