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Leroy Brown

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years, 1 month ago

Biography

Leroy Brown grew up in Jones Town, West Kingston, Jamaica. His home was a musical home and his mother was in charge for the music at the local church. As a youth Leroy used to sing around at the area and when approximately at the age of eleven the well respected Alton Ellis encouraged him and helped him form The Hippy Boys (originally the Soul Mates) with brothers Carlton (he had replaced Shan from the Gaylads) and Aston Barrett. In an interview with Beth Lesser he says about the name;

Then these people from the Flamingo Hotel pass and heard us and got interested. They were the ones that give us the name Hippy Boys also, because that's what we were. We were just rootsy, you know?

 

The group kept on changing the line up and featured artists such as Delano Stewart (from the Gaylads), Max Romeo, Glen and Reggie. The group then split up when Lee Perry and Bunny Lee persuaded the musicians to get on board on their own musical projects (such as The Upsetters and The Wailers). Rehearsal used to take place att Robbie Shakespeare's house as Leroy, Robbies big brothers, Max Romeo and Lloyd had the group the Emotions.

 

In 1971 Leroy moved to Canada intending to go to school for pre-law - something that never happened. Instead he studied music at the Royal Ontario Conservatory. The groups he had been a part of split up and Leroy was not working with music but also focusing on his talent in art while in Canada, until he was to be involved in music again. The first recording he did there was »Prayer of Peace« in 1974. It was one of Leroy Sibbles first recording sessions in Toronto as he played bass on it - other backing members were The Chosen Few.

 

His second album Color Barrier came about when Robbie visit Toronto. An murder incident was the inspiration for the song and the first version of it was recorded at Jerry Brown's studio. Leroy however decided to recorded the song in Jamaica were the rhythm tracks were laid at Duke Reid's, the overdubbing at Channel One and the voicing and mix at King Tubby's. It was released as a 45 in 1976 but was soon banned from radio due to the State of Emergency ruling in Jamaica and songs of that character weren't accepted.

 

Leroy also appeared as one of the Flames when Alton Ellis was living and performing in Canada.

 

See also

 

Sources

  • Liner notes from Leroy Brown - Color Barrier (197x, CMi)
  • Interview with Leroy Brown from Reggae Quarterly
  • Interview with Peter I

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