Junior Byles

Junior Byles ( born July 17, 1948, Kerrie Byles in Kingston, Jamaica ), also known under the names King Chubby, or just Chubby is a Jamaican singjay of rocksteady and roots reggae.

Biography

Kerrie Byles Jr. was born in 1948 at Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica, and grew up in the Kingston area Jonestown. His father was a mechanic and his mother a teacher. His family was very religious. The first musical experiences were Byles as a singer in the church. In 1967 he founded, together with Dudley Earl and Ben ' Louis ' Davis, the vocal trio The Versatiles. At this time Byles worked full time as a firefighter. In the same year, after the group took pictures for the Festival Song Contest in Kingston the new Amalgamated record label, they were discovered by Lee " Scratch" Perry. This worked there as chief engineer to find new talent. This collaboration arose three singles named " Just Can not Win ", " The Time Has Come " and " Trust The Book". The musical backup for all three songs comes from Lynn Taitt & the Jets. The first release as a solo artist is called " What Is This World Coming To" and appeared in 1970. Between 1968 and 1974, Byles worked almost exclusively with Lee Perry and his band and as a solo artist released more singles, now considered classics of the Roots apply, such as "Curly Locks ", " Rasta No Pickpocket ", " Place Called Africa" ​​, or "Beat Down Babylon ". In 1972, in collaboration with Eric Barnett the last single of the band with the name " Action Line ". Thereupon Byles dedicated to his solo career and to the mid 1970s he was a big star in Jamaica. He managed and internationally to achieve a certain level of awareness. However, the first single as a solo artist with the name " Got The Tip" appeared as early as in 1971 on the British label punch. A year later, the label Trojan Records released the first album called "Beat Down Babylon ". Junior Byles was one of several reggae musicians who supported the politicians Michael Manley on his election as Prime Minister of Jamaica. To this end, published two songs with the name "Joshua Desire " and " Pharaoh Hiding" that are included on the album Beat Down Babylon. After several single releases appeared in 1976 another album with the name " Jordan", which was produced by Pete Weston. In the same year Byles was suffering at the time from severe depression, after several suicide attempts in the psychiatric department of the Belview Hospital admitted to Kingston. After his release he continued until the early 1980s, a regular patient. At this time he was musical little more active. Nevertheless, he continued to publish, although a few singles. Among others, the successful song " Chant Down Babylon ", together with the Jamaican singer Rupert Reid. This is a remake of the track " King Of Babylon " by 1975. Between 1982 and 1986, Byles suffered several accidents in private life. At this time his mother died, and shortly thereafter burned down his house. His wife and children emigrated to the United States. The last real album was released in 1986 on the label Nighthawk Records. It bears the name "Rasta No Pickpocket ". A year later, the label released the album Digital B "Beat Down Babylon - The Upsetter Years". This was a revised version of his first album, along with other, some new songs. Nevertheless, it went Byles in the same year financially so bad that he had to live on the street. He went begging and eating from garbage cans. 1989, however, published Byles, along with producer Niney "The Observer" Holness the song Young Girl on the label Heartbeat Records. After he was three years later publish another song with the name Little Fleego, he was doing financially better. Between 1997 and 1998 Junior Byles denied together with Jamaican guitarist Earl " Chinna " Smith some concerts. As of 2004, Byles joined again as a solo artist in all of Jamaica on. He then went on a small tour of the United Kingdoms. In 2010, he also played on several concerts and festivals in France.

Discography

Albums

Singles, bootleg

Collaboration with other artists

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