Johnnie Clarke

Born 1955 in Kingston, Jamaica. Johnny Clarke's big succes came in the 70's after he teamed up with producer Bunny Lee. Under Lee's tutelage during 1975-76, Clarke became the most exciting new singer in Jamaica. His repertoire, an astute mix of militant "dread" tunes and love songs, given a contemporary gloss or "style" by the Aggrovators studio band, found immediate favour with the discerning dancehall patrons of Jamaica and elsewhere. Lee encouraged him to cover classic Jamaican standards by artists such as John Holt and Bob Marley . Following this period, Clarke continued to record for Lee and other producers as diverse as Errol Thompson and King Jammy. He has continued to produce high-quality reggae material to the present day, after a period of inactivity in the mid-80s. During the 90s he recorded for Fashion Records and Jah Shaka in the UK, and the hitmaking production duo of Steely & Cleevie.