Dennis Brown

Though crowned “The Prince of Reggae”, he is one of Jamaica’s most beloved and prolific singers. The late icon has left behind a catalog of classic albums comprising of unforgettable hits. A true legend that was vocally blessed with a rich musical legacy and career that spanned over 30 years. Born February 1, 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica; the young prodigy was destined to be an impactful force in the music industry. He grew up in the center of a musical neighborhood on Orange Street, home to some of the major recording studios. The boy wonder was influenced by the late Nat King Cole, Brook Benton, Frank Sinatra and Sam Cooke. His love for music propelled Brown to fully hone his craft at the tender age of 9. The smooth crooner soon developed a vocal range that would ignite his community. Neighbors would often pay to hear him sing while producers started taking notice. Brown’s first professional appearance came at the age of eleven, when he visited “Tit for Tat”, a local West Kingston Nightclub where his brother Basil was performing. The Fabulous Falcons were the main attraction and asked Brown to be lead vocal. Both patrons and other performers were in awe of Dennis voice, one in particular was Byron Lee; he made sure Brown was added to various shows.

 Growing up, Brown admired older reggae singers like Delroy Wilson (whom he credited as the greatest influence on his style of singing) John Holt, Ken Boothe, Bob Andy and Errol Dunkley. His first single was an original song called “Lips of Wine” for producer Derrick Harriott but wasn’t released. Brown immediately started recording on Clement Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label, and gave us the #1 hit “No Man is an Island” (cover of The Impressions). The song was recorded when Brown was 11 years old and immediately captured the hearts of many; it was at this time that he met his lifelong friend Freddie McGreggor. The single received massive airplay in Jamaica and created a buzz on the international markets. Brown continued recording for Dodd and the combination produced over thirty songs. The essence of his unique voice enabled him to do backing vocals for artists like Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson and others. Ellis encouraged and taught Brown to play guitar, further enhancing his songwriting ability. The Studio One recordings were done by way of two albums, “No Man is an Island” and “If I Follow my Heart” (a track penned by Alton Ellis). Brown left Studio One before either was released. With increasing popularity, Dennis continued his journey and recorded for several producers; these include Lloyd Daley, Prince Buster, Sonia Pottinger, Phil Pratt, Derrick Harriott, Lee Scratch Perry, Dennis Alcapone, Joe Gibbs and Winston “Niney the Observer” Holness. Brown recorded a string of popular singles and was one of the most sought after singer throughout the 70’s and rock-steady era. All accomplished with him still in school throughout his teens.

In 1972, the 15-year-old entered Joe Gibbs studio and recorded “Money in My Pocket”. The song propelled him to international stardom and made him a global household name. Niney “the Observer” took charge of the studio sessions and the two young talents were like peas in a pod. By 1973, Brown was recording exclusively with Holness. Their work together virtually took over the music scene in Jamaica. The duo gave Jamaica a stream of hits that includes “Westbound Train, Cassandra, Africa” and many more. Dennis Brown dominance earned him the top male singer in Jamaica, thus exposing him to a wider audience.

Brown soon realized that the UK was the biggest market to promote reggae. In 1974 he embarked on a UK tour as part of a Jamaican showcase backed by the Cimarons (UK’s first established reggae band), The Maytals, Al Brown, Sharon Forrester, and more. Brown gave an unforgettable performance at the Rainbow Theatre in London. This was all under the watchful eyes of his friend, promoter and producer Junior Lincoln.  Throughout the tour, Joe Gibbs released “The Best of Dennis Brown” album; amassing major reviews for the single “No more will I Roam”. After the tour, Brown and Holness returned back to England for a deal with Trojan Records. Unfortunately, Trojan got bought out by Saga Records and the venture was short lived. After realizing that he was an established artist, Brown recorded his last song “Tribulation” with Holness in 1975(so he thought). His popularity and talent was so impressive that Bob Marley called him the best reggae singer in the world.  Dennis prolific songwriting skills and silky smooth vocals were capturing the hearts of music lovers on a global level. His maturity and versatility were uttered on subjects of love, religion, culture and social justice. The US based “Heartbeat” label made a contribution from the work of Brown & Holness with a two album showcase (“Some like it hot” and “Open the gate”) compilation. Not to be outdone, Cleopatra’s two-disc “The Golden Years: 1974-1976” did wonders with materials of that period. With so much studio work and songs at his fingertips, Brown recognized that he was missing the production master mind of Holness. The pair would connect and began recording again in 1977. Dennis immediately went back on tour in the UK with Big Youth and considered it one of his best. His tireless efforts allowed time to produce tracks for Junior Delgado and Bob Andy. That same year Gibbs and Brown recorded the massive hit “How could I leave” (cover version of “The Sharks” How could I live) with Prince Mohammed (now George Nooks). A year later, Dennis, Holness and Castro Brown produced the album “Wolf & Leopards” and gave us masterpieces like “Here I Come, Created by the Father, Children of Israel, Emmanuel, Whip them Jah Jah ” and the title-track.

In 1978 he relocated to London, England; the 21-year-old singer was inspired to establish his own label, DEB (Dennis Emmanuel Brown) with Castro Brown who had connections with Virgin Records.  The label released “So Long Rastafari and “Joseph’s coat of many colours”(his biblical influence). Sadly it folded the following year due to dispute with Castro and the supplies to record shops; nonetheless, Brown produced and released several of his own singles, as well as songs by other artists. It was an exceptional year for Brown, being that he was one of the headliners for the “One Love Peace Concert”(with Lloyd Parks & the People Band) , as well as the closing act for the first-ever Reggae Sunsplash.  He wasted no time and was back in the studios with producers Joe Gibbs, Bunny Lee, Ted Dawkins, and Ossie Hibbert.  Business as usual, two chart topping albums were released, “Visions of Dennis Brown” and “Words of Wisdom”. The world was blessed with classic hits like “Malcolm X”, “Milk and Honey”,  “Ain’t that loving you” and “Money in my Pocket”(#14 on British charts). Vision of Dennis Brown topped the British charts and was voted “Album of the year” by Melody Maker (a British weekly music magazine) and Black Echoes music charts. This success earned Brown a feature appearance on the cover of the NME (New Musical Express- British music, film website & magazine) in February of 1979.

Considered a legend at 22, the charismatic singer was unstoppable and viewed as a music factory with top selling singles to his credit. “How could I leave” was a relationship revival that gave men meaning to be faithful. “Man Next Door,” “Cup of Tea,” “Equal Rights,” Funny Feeling” (duet with DJ Trinity) were some of his best work with Gibbs. In 1981 Gibbs produced “Spellbound”, an album that featured the soulful side of Brown. Already a household name, major labels were also taking notice to his success. With an effort to make a musical dive into US waters, Brown signed an international deal with A&M Records. Though others thought it was too sudden, Brown took the opportunity to expand his boundaries. With a new deal under his belt, the singer migrated back to London and recorded the albums” Foul Play”, “Prophet Rides Again” and “Love has found its way”.

Unfortunately, his deal with A&M Records didn’t pan out as planned and caused a strain on his business relationship with Gibbs. Nonetheless, Brown continued to record with other top producers like King Jammys, Gussie Clarke and Sly & Robbie.  The 80’s were stacked with vocalists dominating the air waves; Brown, Horace Andy, Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, Freddy McGregor, Gregory Isaacs and John Holt were some of the artists leading the way. Dennis decided to form another label (Yvonne Special) dedicated to his wife Yvonne Brown. The hits kept coming and so were the stage performances.  Lovers’ rock was still buzzing with all the angelic voices of the top singers in the industry. Music lovers alike were serenaded with some of the best voices in reggae. We witnessed an era filled with compilations and Dennis was right in the thick of things. Horace Andy and Dennis Brown set the stage with “Reggae Superstars Meet”.  Gussie Clarke produced the mega-hit (Raggamuffin)”Big All Round, “an up-tempo duet with Gregory Isaacs that helped Brown adapt to the dancehall era. Brown’s 1994 album” Light My Fire” and 2001 “Let Me Be the One” were both nominated for a Grammy Award.

 In the late 1990s, Tommy Cowan became his manager and Brown’s health was starting to deteriorate. He had developed respiratory issues, after taken ill in May 1999 from a tour in Brazil with other reggae singers, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia. After returning to Jamaica, on June 30, 1999 he was rushed to Kingston’s University Hospital suffering from cardiac arrest. Brown died the next day, from a collapsed lung. On July 1, 1999, Jamaica and the world lost one of the greatest singers. Sitting Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson(PNP) and former Prime Minister Edward Seaga(JLP)  both spoke at Brown’s funeral, which was held on 17 July 1999 in Kingston. Brown was buried at Kingston’s National Heroes Park; he was survived by his wife Yvonne and ten children. 

Dennis Brown was a major inspiration for many reggae singers from the 1970s through today. These include Garnett Silk, Barrington Levy, Richie Stephens, Junior Reid, Luciano, Frankie Paul, Fiona, Brian & Tony Gold and others. In July 1999, several UK-based musicians and more than fifty vocalists name The British Reggae All Stars (consisting Mafia & Fluxy, Carlton “Bubblers” Ogilvie, Peter Hunnigale, Sylvia Tella, Nerious Joseph and Louisa Mark) recorded “Tribute Song”, a medley of six of Brown’s best-known songs, in memory of him.

He was honored on the first anniversary of his death by a memorial concert in Brooklyn, which featured performances from Half Pint, Micky Jarrett, Johnny Osbourne, Delano Tucker, and others.  In 2001, a charitable trust was set up in Brown’s name. The Dennis Emanuel Brown Trust works to educate youngsters, maintain and advance the memory of Dennis Brown, and provide youngsters with musical instruments. The trust awards the Dennis Emanuel Brown (DEB) bursary for educational achievement each year to students between the ages of 10 and 12 years old. George Nooks, who had worked with Brown in the mid-1970s as Prince Mohamed, released an album of Brown covers, “George Nooks Sings Dennis Brown: The Voice Lives On” in 2005. In the same year, Gregory Isaacs paid a similar tribute with the album “Gregory Isaacs Sings Dennis Brown”. In February 2007, a series of events were staged in Jamaica in celebration of the lives of both Brown and Marley (Reggae Month and both birthday that month). In 2008, the Dennis Brown Trust announced a new internet radio station, dedicated solely to the music of Dennis Brown, and in the same month a tribute concert was staged by the Jamaican Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) featuring John Holt, Sugar Minott, Derrick Harriott, Dwight Pinkney and George Nooks. On April 26, 2010 Brown was featured on NPR Morning Edition news program as one of the “50 Great Voices” – The stories of awe-inspiring voices from around the world and over time”. The NPR “50 Great Voices” list includes Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Jackie Wilson and Mahalia Jackson among others.

Achievements By Dennis Brown:

• Voted Jamaica’s top male vocalist in 1973; Poll was done by Swing Magazine.
• 1978 he established his own record label DEB.
• Nominated for 1982 Grammy Best Ethnic Recording – Reggae Sunsplash Tribute to Bob Marley
• Nominated for 1994 Grammy Reggae Album Award- “Light My Fire”.
• Nominated for 2000 Grammy Reggae Album Award – “Let Me Be The One”
• In 2008 the Dennis Brown Trust announced a new internet radio station dedicated to the music of Brown.
• April 2010, brown was featured on NPR Morning Edition as one of NPR’s 50 great Voices around the world.
• Posthumously awarded in 2011 Order of Distinction- rank of Commander (CD)
• In 2012, a commemorative blue plaque placed at his home in Harlesden, UK
• Song “Promise Land” appeared on Netflix “Harder They Fall” Soundtrack
• Song “I Don’t Know” appeared on 1999 movie “The Sex Monster” soundtrack
• Signed a contract with RCA Records
• Recorded over 90 studio Albums
• Have more #1 studio albums than any other Reggae artist
• Bob Marley stated that Dennis Brown is the best singer in the world
• Buried at The National Heroes Park – Jamaica, July 17, 1999