SONIA POTTINGER – BUSINESSWOMAN & LEGENDARY PRODUCER

SONIA POTTINGER – ICONIC FEMALE MUSIC PIONEER 

September 5, 2021

In an industry dominated by her male counterparts, Sonia Pottinger stood her grounds and became one of the most noteworthy producers in the history of Reggae music. Born Sonia Eloise Durrant in the parish of St. Thomas, Jamaica on June 21, 1931; the iconic pioneer attended St. George’s girl school in Kingston where she studied business and accounting. Upon completing her education, she married businessman Lindon Pottinger and assisted him in starting Gaydisc Records, SEP(her initials) and Golden Arrow labels.  Pottinger would become Jamaica’s first female producer amidst a list of competitive high profiled record executives.

A devoted wife, mother and Christian, Mrs. Pottinger incorporated her spirituality and genius creativity to guide her recording sessions. This was evident from her production work with Claudell Clarke, Otis Wright and others on her “Glory” label. Unfortunately, she and her husband separated in 1964 after he sold his equipments to Duke Reid. Using her business savvy, she opened “Tip Top Records” shop in 1965 and scored an instant hit in 1966 with “Every Night”, by Joe White and Chuck Josephs. The phenomenal producer also created several record labels – Tip Top, Gay Feet, High Note, Glory (gospel) and Rainbow. During the rock-steady era, Pottinger excelled with significant hits from the Ethiopians(The Whip), Melodians(Swing & Dine and Little Nut Tree), Ken Boothe(Lady With the Starlight),  Gaylads(“ABC Rocksteady” and” It’s Hard to Confess”). As time progressed within the reggae genre, she blazed to the forefront with the Hippy Boys’ “Dr No Go” and Delano Stewart’s “That’s Life”.

During the 1970s, Pottinger produced albums for Bob Andy, Slim Smith, Justin Hinds & the Dominoes, Marcia Griffiths, Sonia Spence, U-Roy, Culture, Dennis Brown, Phyllis Dillion, Big Youth and Judy Mowatt’s early recordings. She licensed Errol Dunkley’s debut album, which produced the hit “Darling Ooh”. Culture’s “Cumbolo” and “Harder than the Rest” albums on her High Note label were both handled overseas by Virgin Records).  In 1974, Duke Reid became ill after suffering from cancer. Pottinger smartly acquired the rights to Treasure Isle back catalogs and began to license them to companies outside Jamaica.  The move was later challenged by her rivals Bunny Lee and Coxsone Dodd. Nonetheless, Pottinger later won the case in 2009. She decided to hang up her musical prowess in 1985 after becoming ill with Alzheimer’s disease.

In October of 2004, Sonia Pottinger was honored with the prestigious Order of Distinction (OD) by the Jamaican Government. Jamaica and the entire music industry mourned the loss of a great business woman. Sonia Eloise Pottinger O.D., pioneer, record producer and entrepreneur, sadly passed on November 3, 2010. Her music catalogue is one of the most impressive to date and she is credited with transforming the Jamaican music industry.

Highlights of Sonia Pottinger Career:

• Jamaica first female producer and savvy businesswoman.
• Opened several record shops and music labels.
• Acquired Treasure Isle music catalogs
• Won court case against male producers for Treasure Isle purchase.
• Produced some of Jamaica’s top hits throughout her career.
• Honored with (O.D.) Order of Distinction in 2004.
• Received Excellence in Music & Entertainment Award.