ROY SHIRLEY
Photo by
David Katz
Roy Shirley is
one of Jamaica’s most original
vocalists, his unique approach
and peculiar delivery ensuring a
place apart. Drawing heavily
from American soul, he often
employs a quavering vibrato and
is famed for ecstatic
performances given in unusual
attire. He has also been
credited as the artist who
recorded the first rock steady
vocal in the mid-1960s, and has
since scored many lasting hits
in the reggae idiom, leading to
his coronation as “The High
Priest of Reggae.”
Like many of
Jamaica’s great musical figures,
Roy began his life in Trench
Town, the hotbed of talent in
western Kingston that was home
to Bob Marley in the early
1960s. Roy was raised by his
mother and stepfather in a
community centred on a
Revivalist church and anyone who
has had the pleasure of being in
Roy’s company will immediately
know he is a deeply spiritual
man, with such convictions
radiating throughout his work.
As with many of
Jamaica’s foundation singers,
Roy Shirley got his start
singing on talent contests in
the late 1950s. Given
encouragement by fellow singer
Jimmy Cliff, Shirley reached the
stage at a young age and
although early recordings for
producer Simeon L. Smith remain
unreleased, a ballad called
‘Shirley,’ his debut issue on
the Beverley’s label, was a
local hit in 1965.
Shirley then
formed vocal group the Leaders
with Ken Boothe, Joe White and
Chuck Josephs (aka Chuck Berry
Junior), but their recordings
for Federal failed to be of much
consequence. He subsequently
joined the first incarnation of
the Uniques with Slim Smith and
Franklyn White, recording
material for Sir JJ and Caltone.
Left on his own
when the group temporarily
disbanded, in 1967, Shirley
crafted the unique and
influential “Hold Them,” named
by many as the first rock steady
song. A mutual friend then
brought Shirley to the attention
of aspiring producer Joe Gibbs,
and “Hold Them” was cut at the
very first session Gibbs
funded. It turned out to be a
massive hit that ushered in the
rock steady era and brought
Shirley to the attention of
audiences outside Jamaica. Roy
then helped Bunny Lee establish
himself as a producer, voicing
the hit tunes “Get On The Ball”
and “Music Field” at Lee’s
first-ever session. |
As Roy’s
fame grew in the late 1960s through further recordings for Lee
and other producers, he soon became renowned for ecstatic stage
performances, often appearing in a long silver cape and drawing
comparisons to James Brown and Solomon Burke for his dynamic
energy. “Al Green is the man that confess in Jamaica that he
has learned his style from Roy Shirley,” the singer adds,
“because I was the only singer first who sing that double voice
thing with falsetto. I also went to America and did a show at
the Apollo Theatre in Harlem in the early 1970s and when I came
back, the manager wrote me a letter and said that I am one of
the first local singers who come to the theatre and was so
impressive to the people.”
By late
1968, Roy’s experiences in the music business led him to form
his own Public label and venture into self-production, issuing
tracks such as “Prophecy Fulfilling,” “Flying Reggae,” “A Sugar”
and “On Board,” backed on some tracks by members of the Soul
Syndicate, and others by members of the Wailers such as Peter
Tosh, Aston “Family Man” Barrett and his brother Carly.
Shirley’s version of Ben E. King’s “Heartbreaking Gypsy” has
also proven perennially popular, while his hit “I Am The Winner”
was arranged by visionary producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Shirley
first toured the USA in 1971, when he appeared at the Madison
Square Centre in Manhattan. He enjoyed a weeklong engagement at
the Apollo Theatre in 1972, the same year he first toured the UK
with U Roy and Max Romeo. He appeared at Reggae Sunsplash in
Jamaica in 1982 and performed live on a British TV programme
called Reggae in Britain, backed by Rico Rodriguez’s band.
Although
based in the UK since the late 1970s, Shirley has continued to
regularly perform in Jamaica, Canada and select cities in the
USA, as well as throughout the UK. He has also continued to
record albums of uplifting material, many of which are available
through his website,
kingroyshirley.net, while his charitable organisation, the
British Universal Talent Development Association, gives direct
support to undiscovered musical talent worldwide.
- Bio by David Katz.
Roy Shirley
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