Ewart Beckford OD, a/k/a U-Roy
U-Roy born Ewart Beckford, 21 September 1942, Jones Town, Jamaica is THE ORIGINATOR, he was not the first to record music nor be a DJ. He is best known as a pioneer of toasting. His style was so different that it changed Jamaica's music scene forever.
U-Roy or Daddy Roy as some like to call him began his music career in 1961, this was not an easy road as he bumped from here and there. He was known to perform at the Doctor Dickie's Dynamite sound system. He then moved on to the Sir Mike the Musical Thunderstorm and then in 1968 to the Sir George the Atomic sound system. It was with Mr. Coxone Dodd's encouragement he was taken away from this scene. During his time with Coxone Dodd, he met King Tubby who was a disc cutter at Duke Reid's studio. In 1969, King Tubby started his own HI-FI and brought U-Roy as his main DJ. It was on this set that producer, the late Keith Hudson was the very first to recognize the DJ and took him into the studio to cut the song "Dynamic Fashion Way." U-Roy's next recording was a combination with the late Peter Tosh. This recording entitled "Selassie," was done by Lee Perry. U-Roy did one more tune for Mr. Perry "O.K. Corral" then made his way back to the late Keith Hudson. Thereafter, he found another producer Lloyd Daley and recorded "Scandal" and "Sound of the Wise."
In 1970, major changes came in U-Roy's music career. At a sound system party John Holt who was the lead vocalist of The Paragons heard U-Roy dj-ing over his hit song "Wear You to the Ball" Holt was amazed at U-Roy's style and was more so surprised at his performance and the reaction of the crowd. The following day John visited producer Duke Reid and insisted that he record the DJ. The producer agreed and U-Roy then proceeded to cut two singles ("Wake the Town" and "Rule the Nation") over the classic Treasure Isle. The first song was a massive hit in Jamaica and rose to the top of the charts. That song was a version of the late Alton Ellis' "Girl I've Got a Date." U-Roy's second song "Rule the Nation," was cut over the Techniques' "Love is Not a Gamble," and this song also had a great impact on Jamaica and made it's way up into the charts in no time. The success of these two songs made U-Roy and his team on a roll with a follow up, "Wear You to the Ball." Once again, the latter made it's way into the charts that U-Roy had three singles in the three top spots. Having had the run of success with Reid, U-Roy stayed put and recorded twenty nine more songs.
U-Roy's success continue throughout this period, some may say most famously with the album Dread in a Babylon, produced by "Prince" Tony Robinson. The album cover had many tongues wagging in that it featured an iconic picture of U-Roy disappearing in a thick cloud of ganja smoke holding a chalice. The album also included the song "Chalice in the Palace" which portrayed the image of smoking ganja with Queen Elizabeth II, in Buckingham Palace.
In the 1980's U-Roy had garnered much acclaim in the United Kingdom (Brixton, Harlesden, Wilesden, Manchester, Birmingham to name a few).
In 1982, he appeared at Reggae Sunsplash for the first time. In 1983, he was on the King Stur-Gav Hi Fi Lee Unlimited album and in 1985 returned to Reggae Sunsplash.
Reggae fans did not hear from the Originator for a period of two years and to make up for lost time, in 1987 he went back into the studio and teamed up with Tappa Zukie for the Line Up and Come album. He also released Music Addict, by Prince Jazzbo. While working on this album his eagerness dwindled. In the summer of 1990 he made a third appearance at Reggae Sunsplash. During this period of his music career U-Roy stayed out of the recording studios. However, in 1991, he was back in London performing at the Hammersmith Palais. During his stay in London producer Mad Professor got him back in to the studio to record True Born African album. 1993 we saw guest appearances from a number of artists (Sandra Cross, Yabby You and Susan Cadogan) on his "Smile Awhile. In turn we saw the DJ guest appearance on Noal Irie's 1993 album "Work So Hard." 1996, U-Roy did a combination with lovers rock queen, Susan Cadogan of her classic hit "Hurt So Good."
His most recent album was in 2000 Serious Matter.
On October 15, 2007, U-Roy was awarded Jamaica's Oder of Distinction in the rank of Officer for contribution to the development of Jamaican music for over forty years. This presentation was done by Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDE4Z1w3P8U
Today, I would like to take this time out to wish my favorite DJ/Toaster/Originator a HAPPY AND BLESS BIRTHDAY.
NP. To my school and school mates in England sorry for marking up your school desks with my favorite DJ's name but then again I am not sorry.
(Yes still cheeky)
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