BB Seaton, the famend ska and rocksteady vocalist and composer, handed away in London, England, on the age of 79 on Monday.
Seaton’s musical journey spanned numerous bands, together with The Gaylads, The Astronauts, Aware Minds, and The Messengers, the place he collaborated with distinguished artists like Ken Boothe, Lloyd Charmers, and Busty Brown.
In 1960, Seaton launched into his solo profession, later forming the duo Winston & Bibby with Winston Delano Stewart. The pair advanced into The Gaylads with the addition of Maurice Roberts. Though Seaton briefly departed to affix The Astronauts, he rejoined The Gaylads throughout the ska period, attaining vital success each in Jamaica and as a duo after Stewart’s departure in 1972.
Seaton’s solo profession flourished with hits like “Settle for My Apology,” “Candy Caroline,” “Lean on Me,” and “Skinny Line Between Love and Hate,” marking him as a pioneer within the reggae scene. He additionally made historical past by turning into the primary reggae artist signed by Virgin Information within the UK.
Minister of Leisure pays tribute
Minister of Tradition, Gender, Leisure and Sport, Olivia Grange, paid tribute to Seaton’s immense musical legacy, describing him as a multifaceted expertise with distinctive vocal prowess and songwriting expertise.
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“If ever a wide range of musical expertise resided in a single man, it was in BB Seaton. He was a professional musician and a singer of remarkable high quality who led one in every of Jamaica’s excellent musical teams, The Gaylads. He was one of the crucial prolific songwriters to hit the native scene and a document producer of word,” stated Grange.
She added that his singing and songwriting careers began in highschool at Cornwall School.
He wrote songs for others resembling Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, The Chosen Few, Dwelling T 4, Freddie Mc Gregor, Aswad, UB40, The Uniques, Jimmy London, Maxi Priest, The Interior Circle, Ruddy Thomas, AJ Franklyn, Pleasure White, Merlyn Brooks, Jennifer Laura, and Mike Brooks.
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“He made 15 albums,” Grange added. “BB Seaton additionally served as govt member and vice chairman for the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and obtained the El Suzie Award as greatest songwriter. He obtained the Jamaica Cultural Improvement Fee Award in 1981-1982 for pioneering Jamaican music as a singer and songwriter.
“As much as the time of his passing, BB was releasing a few of his classic productions on his Soul Beat Report label in London,” stated Grange.
“For all of us. Harris Lloyd Seaton … BB, as we’ll at all times bear in mind him, had an incredible affect, particularly on the Jamaican music genres ska and rocksteady.
“My sincerest sympathy to his spouse, Sue, the remainder of his household, relations, mates, associates, and to the music fraternity,” stated Grange, including, “Relaxation in Peace, BB Seaton.”
