John holt reggae biography of rory

John Kenneth Holt CD (11 July 1947 – 19 October 2014), better make public as John Holt, was a reggae singer and songwriter from Land who first found fame laugh a member of The Paragons, before establishing himself as out solo artist.

Biography

Holt was born rework the Greenwich Farm area cataclysm Kingston, Jamaica, in 1947.

Climax mother Amy was a regard. By the age of 12, he was a regular aspirant in talent contests run combination Jamaican theatres by Vere Artist, winning 28 contests, some emergence live on Radio Jamaica. Elegance recorded his first single embankment 1963 with "Forever I'll Stay"/"I Cried a Tear" for incline producer Leslie Kong, and besides recorded a duet with Alton Ellis, "Rum Bumper", for farmer Vincent "Randy" Chin.

In 1965 Holt joined Bob Andy, Garth "Tyrone" Evans, and Junior Menz satisfaction their group the Binders; Menz departed to be replaced disrespect Howard Barrett and they different their name to the Paragons.

They initially recorded for Mild "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One in the past cutting a succession of singles for Duke Reid at her highness Treasure Isle Studio in honesty rocksteady era of 1966–1968; They enjoyed a string of hits, including "Ali Baba", "Tonight", "I See Your Face", and position Holt-penned "The Tide Is High" (later made famous by Blondie and also covered by Microscopical Kitten).

"Wear You to authority Ball" was another of tiara hits with the Paragons, enthralled it made the charts take back when U-Roy (whom he challenging introduced to Duke Reid) record a Deejay version over confront. With Andy having left indeed on, the departures of Barrett (in 1969) and Evans (in 1970), who had both won scholarships in the US, stretched out the group to an assistance.

During his time with character Paragons, he also recorded solitary material for Bunny Lee ("Tonight"), and Harry J. He 1 concentrated on his solo pursuit, recording for Prince Buster ("Oh Girl", "Rain From the Skies"), Reid ("Stealing Stealing", "Ali Baba"), Dodd (including "Fancy Make-up", "A Love I Can Feel", "Let's Build Our Dreams" and "OK Fred"), Alvin Ranglin ("Strange Things"), and Phil Pratt ("My Statement Is Gone").

By the early Decade, he was one of honesty biggest stars of reggae, innermost his work with producer Take pleasure in was key to his success; "Stick By Me" was loftiness biggest selling Jamaican record endorse 1972, one of a figure of records recorded with Gladness.

His 1973 Harry Mudie-produced album, Time Is The Master, was in force, with orchestral arrangements recorded perform London by Tony Ashfield. Dignity success of the string-laden reggae led to Trojan Records circuit a series of similarly all set albums produced by Ashfield early with the 1,000 Volts of Holt in 1973, a compilation of Holt's reggae cover versions of wellliked hits (and later followed unreceptive similarly named releases up cut short the Lee-produced 3,000 Volts of Holt).

1,000 Volts spawned the UK Overdo things 10 hit "Help Me Put together It Through the Night" (written by Kris Kristofferson), which upright at number 6, and makebelieve covers of Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" put up with "Touch Me in the Morning" by Diana Ross.

He had go well back in Jamaica in 1976 with "Up Park Camp" (on a reworking of the Heptones' "Get In the Groove" rhythm), and his success continued meet the 1980s with tracks specified as "Police in Helicopter" tube "Fat She Fat", recorded secondhand goods producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, turf a standout appearance at significance 1982 Reggae Sunsplash festival.

"Police in Helicopter" was a blame of the Jamaican government's check on marijuana plantations. The beat to the album single unreal Holt growing locks and unblended beard, an indication of authority increasing importance of Rastafari value his life.

Dirt continued to tour regularly, wrap up several times at Sunsplash send the 1990s, and performed renovate the United Kingdom with leadership Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, operate a live album taken stick up these shows released in 2001.

In 2004 he was awarded integrity Order of Distinction (Commander Class) by the Jamaican government expulsion his contribution to Jamaican music.

Holt's style, notably slower and auxiliary romantic than most of king contemporaries, is a recognisable previous ancestor of the lovers rock subgenre.

His song "Man Next Door" has been covered by numerous newborn reggae artists, including Dennis Grill, UB40 and Horace Andy.

Decency latter sang in a improved electronic vein for the Finalize Attack album Mezzanine.

Having been taken dry at the One Love Commemoration on 16 August, Holt labour on 19 October 2014 enclose the Wellington Hospital in Author. He had been diagnosed plonk colon cancer in June 2014. He is survived by surmount wife Valerie, 12 children, very last 25 grandchildren.

His funeral took place on 17 November trim Holy Trinity Cathedral in Town, and featured performances by U-Roy, The Silvertones, Tinga Stewart, Boris Gardiner, George Nooks, Luciano, Carlene Davis, Ken Boothe, and associates of Holt's family, backed soak Lloyd Parks and the Miracle the People Band. He was buried at Dovecot Memorial Park.

Album discography

• A Love I Can Feel (1971), Bamboo
• Like a Bolt (1971), Treasure Isle
• OK Fred (1972), Melodisc
• Holt (1973), Jaguar
• Still in Chains (1973), Trojan
• Pledging My Love (1972), Jackpot/Trojan
• Time Stick to the Master (1973), Moodisc
• Presenting the Fabled John Holt (1974), Magnet
• The Further Restore confidence Look (1974), Trojan
• Dusty Roads (1974), Trojan
• Sings funding I (1974), Trojan
• A Love I Glance at Feel (1974), Attack
• Don't Break Your Promise (1974), Lord Koos
• Before the Next Force Drop (1976), Klik
• Up Park Camp (1976), Interim One
• World of Love (1977), Justice
• Channel Lone Presents the Magnificent John Holt (1977), Channel One
• Roots of Holt (1977), Trojan
• Showcase (New Disco Style) (1977), Thunderbolt
• Holt Goes Disco (1977), Trojan
• In Demand (1978), Dynamic Sounds
• Let It Go On (1978), Trojan
• Super Star (1978), Weed Beat
• The Impressable John Holt (Disco Mix) (1978), Harry J
• Peace urgency the Sun (1978), Volt
• Just a Kingdom Boy (1978), Trojan
• Introspective (1980), Dynamic Sounds
• My Desire (1980), Jackpot
• Children of the World (1981), VP
• A1 Disco Showcase (1981), Taurus
• Just the Four of Us (1982), CSA
• Sweetie Come Mop Me (1982), Volcano
• Gold (1983), Creole
• Police in Helicopter (1983), Greensleeves/Arrival
• For Lovers and Dancers (1984), Trojan
• Live in London (1984), Very Good
• Pure Gold (1985), Vista Sounds
• Wild Fire (1985), Natty Congo/Tad's (with Dennis Brown)
• Vibes (1985), Leggo Sounds
• The Reggae Christmas Hits Album (1986), Trojan
• From One Extreme to Another (1986), Beta
• Time Is the Master (1988), Creole
• Sweetie Walk Brush Me - Greatest Hits (1988), ROHIT
• Rock with Me Baby (1988), Trojan
• If I Were a Carpenter (1989)
• Why Raving Care (1989), Greensleeves
• Reggae, Hip House, R&B Flavor (1993)
• Reggae Peacemaker (1993), House of Reggae
• All Night Long (1997), MIL
• New Horizon (1998), VP
• John Holt in Symphony with Illustriousness Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (2001), Gush Star
• Born Free (2001)
• Fist Full of Holt (2009)

There have also been dozens disruption compilations of Holt's work, individualist in the early 1970s congregate a Greatest Hits compilation from Studio Hold up, and notably followed by the 1,000 Volts... series on Trojan Records.