CLINTON
FEARON
If you know reggae music,
you know Clinton "Basie" Fearon. For over 18 years Fearon
was singer and bass
player with the internationally renowned group The Gladiators.
Fearon's first two
releases with the group were (singles) "Freedom Train" and
"Rockaman
Soul" on Lloyd Daley's Matador label, both of which reached the Top 10 onthe Jamaican
charts. Jamaica's top producer, Coxsone Dodd of Studio One, produced
"The
Gladiators" a full length album featuring Fearon as songwriter and vocalist on
several
songs including Step Right Back. In 1974 The Gladiators went to Joe Gibbs'
studio to record
"Proverbial Reggae"; Fearon wrote many of the songs on this album
and the
producer Prince Tony Robinson insisted that Fearon sing the lead vocals
including "Can
You Imagine How I Feel," "Stop Before You Go," and "Marvel Not." |
In
addition to his demanding recording schedule with The Gladiators, Fearon was also a
house
musician for Lee "Scratch" Perry's Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded on many
of Perry's best known songs, including "Roast Fish and Cornbread," which features
one of Fearon's most famous bass lines.
When Fearon relocated to Seattle in
1989 he co-founded The Defenders. He wrote the
lyrics and sang lead vocals on The
Defenders' EP "Chant Down Babylon/Rock Your
Bones." In 1990 Fearon released his
first compilation of original tunes "Feel The Spirit,"
and the first pressing
sold out in less than one month. In 1993 Fearon formed his own group, Boogie Brown Band.
The debut album was a collection of 13 original songs entitled "Disturb the
Devil." A second CD, "Mystic Whisper" was released in early 1997. Fearon and
Boogie Brown Band released their third album, a double CD entitled "What a
System" in June of 1999 on the Kool Yu Footlabel. Mixed by renowned JA engineer,
Scientist, "What A System" has received
international critical acclaim and has
secured and maintained Top Charting positions
since then. Clinton Fearon is counted among
Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and
professionals in the Reggae music industry.
His infectious bass riffs have always led the
way, whether he is playing bass, guitar or
percussion, singing lead vocals or providing
background harmonies.
Artist Biography
courtesy of Entertainment Works
Clinton Fearon Links:
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