Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan ( born March 27, 1940 Stewarton, Jamaica ) is a Jamaican ska and reggae musician. He is one of the earliest pioneers of ska and has initiated with his song " Tougher Than Tough " the Rock Steady. In 1961, he managed to occupy the top seven places in the Jamaican charts.

Life

His talent for the first time clearly, as he wins in the " Vere John's Opportunity Show" at the age of 17. Derrick sings the song " Long Tall Sally" by Little Richard (also known in the cover version of the Beatles ). After that, he toured two years with the comedian duo " Bim Bam & ". In 1960 he took his first songs on, "Lover Boy" and " Oh My " is producer Duke Reid. His first No. 1 hit in Jamaica is "Fat Man ", also one of the first Jamaican songs that also appear in England. Morgan changes at the instigation of Jimmy Cliff towards the producer Leslie Kong. " Housewives ' Choice ", which in 1962 recorded a duet with singer Patsy Todd, is to be his greatest achievement, perhaps, the song also attracted attention in England.

Also 1962: " Forward March ", a play about the just gained independence from British colonization. The song is the trigger of a musical, performed on the basis of hit singles dispute with the singer and producer Prince Buster. This asserts Morgan had stolen the sax solo from Busters "They Got To Come", and attacks Morgan with the play " Blackhead Chiney Man" at. Morgan responds with the song " Blazing Fire" and "No Raise, No Praise". The mutual insults lead to the extent that there is unrest in the population and in 1963 finally intervene, even the government. The two brawlers will make a statement in the Daily Gleaner in which they explain the conflict to a mere sales gimmick and represent themselves as best friends. Musical battles like this, there were previously in the Calypso, but were in the ska new until then. It became a tradition started here, which is popular to this day in Jamaica great popularity, see for instance the debate between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.

In 1966, Morgan created with " Tougher Than Tough " the first example of the musical style that would replace the ska. The Rocksteady should henceforth the Jamaican charts storm. On this song Desmond Dekker and George Background sing (the latter later in The Pioneers ). Morgan's song " Moon Hop " from 1969 is a hit in the skinhead scene in England, which is joined to the so-called skinhead reggae at this time.

In 1976, a retinitis pigmentosa diagnosed with Morgan, who suffered all his life with night blindness. Morgan is now blind, but nonetheless still occasionally touring through Europe and the States. He runs his own label, where he produced reggae and ragga muffin musicians.

Discography (selection)

  • Forward March (1963 )
  • Derrick Morgan & Friends ( 1968)
  • The Best Of Derrick Morgan ( 1969)
  • Derrick Morgan in London ( 1969)
  • Seven Letters ( 1969)
  • Moon hop ( 1970)
  • In The Mood (1974 )
  • Development (1975 )
  • Feel So Good (featuring Hortense Ellis, 1975)
  • People 's Decision (1977 )
  • The Conquerer (1985 )
  • Blazing Fire Vol 1 & 2 (1988)
  • Ride the Rhythm (1990 )
  • Two Knights of Ska ( with Laurel Aitken, 1990)
  • I Am the Ruler ( 1992)
Record chart Calypso music The Pioneers (band) Integrated Authority File
229583
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