Earl Zero was born in the
poorer Greenwich Town area of Kingston, Jamaica.
By the mid 1970s, when Zero began to meet fellow
neighbor-musicians such as guitar luminary Earl
"Chinna" Smith, Greenwich Town was an area ripe
for the flowering of Rasta, and Zero's songs,
such as "Shackles and Chains," among others,
began to reflect this way of life.
In 1975, a young Earl Anthony Johnson was dying for a chance to record a song he had written entitled "None Shall Escape the Judgment." The same year, Z discovered local producer Edward "Bunny" Lee, through bassist and friend George "Fully" Fullwood. After weeks of pestering "Striker," as the producer was also known, Lee finally gave in and recorded Zero with his song, utilizing Earl "Chinna" Smith, Carlton "Santa" Davis on drums, and Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass. Z was thrilled, but Striker had other ideas--he saw the song as a perfect vehicle for his protege/star Johnny Clarke. When Clarke's version hit the streets, it was an instant hit.
Undaunted by this experience, Zero continued to compose more songs of wisdom, protest, and awareness, and linked up with fellow Greenwich Townians, producers Bertram Brown and Errol "Don" Mais. In 1976 "Home Sweet Home" was released on the Roots Tradition label, followed by "Please Officer" and "City of the Wicked" which appeared on the Freedom Sounds outlet. He also recorded for producer Tommy Cowan. In 1978, Zero appeared in a film which featured the Soul Syndicate (along with with Augustus Pablo and other contributors) entitled Word, Sound and Power.
In 1975, a young Earl Anthony Johnson was dying for a chance to record a song he had written entitled "None Shall Escape the Judgment." The same year, Z discovered local producer Edward "Bunny" Lee, through bassist and friend George "Fully" Fullwood. After weeks of pestering "Striker," as the producer was also known, Lee finally gave in and recorded Zero with his song, utilizing Earl "Chinna" Smith, Carlton "Santa" Davis on drums, and Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass. Z was thrilled, but Striker had other ideas--he saw the song as a perfect vehicle for his protege/star Johnny Clarke. When Clarke's version hit the streets, it was an instant hit.
Undaunted by this experience, Zero continued to compose more songs of wisdom, protest, and awareness, and linked up with fellow Greenwich Townians, producers Bertram Brown and Errol "Don" Mais. In 1976 "Home Sweet Home" was released on the Roots Tradition label, followed by "Please Officer" and "City of the Wicked" which appeared on the Freedom Sounds outlet. He also recorded for producer Tommy Cowan. In 1978, Zero appeared in a film which featured the Soul Syndicate (along with with Augustus Pablo and other contributors) entitled Word, Sound and Power.