The first legendary Jamaican artist to be added to The London Intl Ska Festival is Ken Boothe.
Best known for his No.1 UK hit 'Everything I Own', Ken started his
musical career by winning a singing competition at the age of 8, in
his birthplace of Kingston, Jamaica. His debut recording came in the
ska-era when he teamed up with Winston 'Stranger' Cole in the duo
Stranger And Ken, releasing classic cuts including 'World's Fair',
'Hush' and 'Artibella', before moving onto Clement Dodd’s Studio One
label. A series of classic cuts followed including 'The Train Is
Coming' (on which he was backed by Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer & BB
Seaton of The Gaylads) and 'Moving Away'. In 1967 he toured the UK
for the first time with fellow rocksteady legend Alton Ellis. The
tour was hugely successful, with Boothe being promoted as "Mr.Rock
Steady". The title was also used for his superb debut album the
following year, which contained the unlikely but huge selling
rocksteady version of 'Puppet On A String'.
Upon leaving Studio One he was indemand with Jamaica's top producers:
Sonia Pottinger, Phil Pratt, Leslie Kong, Bunny Lee, B.B. Seaton,
Keith Hudson, Randy's, Niney the Observer, releasing many island hits
including 'Freedom Street'. In 1974 Ken Boothe teamed up with
producer Lloyd Charmers, a pairing and subsequent releases on Trojan
Records, that spawned his two biggest UK hits. The aforementioned
'Everything I Own' top the charts for 4 weeks and the follow-up
'Crying Over You' reached number 11. The pair also issued other
superb versions of 'Who Gets Your Love', 'Let's Get It On', 'Silver
Words' and Ain't No Sunshine'
To this day Ken Boothe tours all over the world and remains one of
Jamaica's most loved vocalists with his uniquely emotive and soulful
style. In 2003 this fact was recognised by the Jamaican government
awarding him the Order Of Distinction for his contribution to
Jamaican music.
More announcements next week.
Tickets now onsale at www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk
Any problems ordering tickets email enquiries@rockersrevolt.com
>>>>>
THE LONDON INTL SKA FESTIVAL
21-24 April 2011 @ The Clapham Grand Theatre, London
www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk
starring
KEN BOOTHE
THE ENGLISH BEAT starring DAVE WAKELING
JAMES HUNTER
THE SKA FLAMES* (Japan)
DUB PISTOLS
THE TROJANS
THE LOAFERS* (one off reformation)
HOTKNIVES* (original line up)
BIM SKALA BIM* (USA)
MAROON TOWN
INTENSIFIED
NAPOLEON SOLO (Denmark)
THE CAROLOREGIANS (Belgium)
THE AMPHETAMEANIES (Scotland)
THE SIDEWALK DOCTORS
CARTOON VIOLENCE (Wales)
JIMMY THE SQUIRREL
Confirmed DJ line up
MARK LAMARR
GAZ MAYALL / GAZS ROCKIN BLUES
WRONGTOM
THE TIGHTEN UP CREW w/ CHAMPIAN MC
JIM COX (REGGAE TRAIN)
FELIX HALL
GREEDY G
*exclusive one off shows
More tba very soon including 4 legendary Jamaican names
