Gregory Anthony Isaacs OD (15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010)Thompson, p. 127. was a

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of Hispa ...

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

musician. Milo Miles, writing in ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'', described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae".Miles, Milo (1992),
RECORDINGS VIEW; Gregory Isaacs, the Ruler of Reggae"
''

'', 2 February 1992.Kiviat, Steve (1996),
Gregory Isaacs
, ''

Washington City Paper The ''Washington City Paper'' is a U.S. alternative weekly newspaper serving the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The ''City Paper'' is distributed on Thursdays; its average circulation in 2006 was 85,588. The paper's editorial mix is focu ...

'', 6 – 12 December 1996 (Vol. 16, No. 49).

Early career

In his teenage years, Isaacs became a veteran of the talent contests that regularly took place in Jamaica. In 1968, he made his recording debut as Winston Sinclair, with the single "Another Heartache", recorded for producer Byron Lee. The single sold poorly and Isaacs went on to team up with

Errol Dunkley Errol Dunkley (born 6 February 1951), sometimes spelled Erroll Dunkley, is a Jamaican reggae musician, born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1951. Biography Dunkley's recording career began in 1965, when he was 14, with "Gypsy" (a duet with Roy Shir ...

to start the African Museum record label and shop, and soon had a hit with "My Only Lover", credited as the first

lovers rock Lovers' rock is a style of reggae music noted for its romantic sound and content. While love songs had been an important part of reggae since the late 1960s, the style was given a greater focus and a name in London in the mid-1970s.Larkin, Col ...

record ever made. He recorded for other producers to finance further African Museum recordings, having a string of hits in the three years that followed, ranging from ballads to

roots reggae Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of Africans and those in the African Diaspora, including the spiritual side of Rastafari, black liberation, revolution and the honoring of God, called Jah ...

, including "All I Have Is Love", "Lonely Soldier", "Black a Kill Black", "Extra Classic" and his

cover version In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song relea ...

of Dobby Dobson's "Loving Pauper". In 1974, he began working with producer Alvin Ranglin, and that year he had his first Jamaican no. 1 single with "Love Is Overdue". Isaacs recorded for many of Jamaica's top producers during the 1970s, including Winston "Niney" Holness,

Gussie Clarke Augustus "Gussie" Clarke (born 1954) is a reggae producer who worked with some of the top Jamaican reggae artists in the 1970s and later set up his own Music Works studio. Career Clarke started working in the music industry by cutting dub pla ...

("My Time"), Lloyd Campbell ("Slavemaster"),

Glen Brown Glenmore Lloyd Brown (1943 or 1944Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2013)Tough Times for Glen Brown", ''Jamaica Observer'', 15 July 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2014Larkin, Colin, ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', 1998, Virgin Books, . – 4 O ...

("One One Coco"), Harry Mudie,

Roy Cousins Roy Anthony Cousins (born 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer, producer, and record label owner, known for being lead singer and co creator of The Royals, his productions of artists such as Charlie Chaplin, Prince Far I, Sci ...

, Sydney Crooks and

Lee "Scratch" Perry Lee "Scratch" Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry; 20 March 1936 – 29 August 2021) was a Jamaican record producer, composer and singer noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style. Perry was a pioneer in the 1970s development o ...

("Mr. Cop").Thompson, p. 128. By the late-1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, challenged only by

Dennis Brown Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD (1 February 1957 – 1 July 1999) was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven, he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of lo ...

and

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981; baptised in 1980 as Berhane Selassie) was a Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, his musical career was marked by fusing elements ...

.Larkin, Colin (1998), ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, p. 136. . Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs again teamed up with Alvin Ranglin, recording a string of hits including "Border" and "Number One" for Ranglin's GG's label. He opened the Cash and Carry shop at 118 Orange Street, later moving to no. 125, next door to

Prince Buster Cecil Bustamente Campbell (24 May 1938 – 8 September 2016), known professionally as Prince Buster, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer. The records he released in the 1960s influenced and shaped the course of Jamaican contemporary ...

's Record Shack, which was also the base for the Cash and Carry record label that he ran with Trevor "Leggo" Douglas.Isaacs Honoured At Orange Street
, ''

Jamaica Gleaner ''The Gleaner'' is an English-language, morning daily newspaper founded by two brothers, Jacob and Joshua de Cordova on 13 September 1834 in Kingston, Jamaica. Originally called the ''Daily Gleaner'', the name was changed on 7 December 1992 to ' ...

'', 19 July 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2015.

International success

International stardom seemed assured in 1978 when Isaacs signed to the

Virgin Records Virgin Records is a record label owned by Universal Music Group. It originally founded as a British independent record label in 1972 by entrepreneurs Richard Branson, Simon Draper, Nik Powell, and musician Tom Newman. It grew to be a world ...

offshoot Front Line Records, and appeared in the film '' Rockers'', in which he performed "Slavemaster". The ''Cool Ruler'' (which became one of his nicknames) and ''Soon Forward'' albums, however, failed to sell as well as expected, although they are now considered among his best work.Barrow, p. 197. In 1981, he made his first appearance at the

Reggae Sunsplash Reggae Sunsplash is a reggae music festival first staged in 1978 in the northern part of Jamaica. In 1985 it expanded with the addition of an international touring festival. The festival ran annually until 1996, with a final event in 1998, befo ...

festival (returning annually until 1991), and he moved on to the

Charisma Records Charisma Records (also known as The Famous Charisma Label) was a British record label founded in 1969 by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith. He had previously acted as manager for rock bands such as The Nice, the Bonzo Dog Band and Van d ...

offshoot Pre, who released his ''The Lonely Lover'' and ''More Gregory'' albums along with a string of increasingly successful singles including "Tune In", "Permanent Lover", "Wailing Rudie" and "Tribute to Waddy".Thompson, p. 129. He signed to

Island Records Island Records is a multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell, Graeme Goodall, and Leslie Kong in Jamaica, and was eventually sold to PolyGram in 1989. Island and A&M Records, anothe ...

and released the record that broke through to a wider audience, " Night Nurse", the title track from his first album for the label ('' Night Nurse'' (1982)). Although "Night Nurse" was not a chart hit in either the UK or US, it was popular in clubs and received heavy radio play, and the album reached number 32 in the UK.Gregory Isaacs

Official Charts Company The Official Charts (legal name: The Official UK Charts Company Limited) is a British inter-professional organization that compiles various "official" record charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. In the United Kingdom, its charts inc ...

. Retrieved 28 April 2016 It was also used in adverts for an

over the counter Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescr ...

cold & flu remedy of the same name. This success for Isaacs coincided with drug problems with

cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Am ...

. He served a six-month prison sentence in Kingston in 1982 for possession of unlicensed firearms.Perry, Andrew (2007),
The cool ruler of reggae makes a comeback"
''

The Daily Telegraph ''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally. It was f ...

'', 11 January 2007. Isaacs claimed that he had the weapons only for protection, but it emerged that this was his 27th arrest and that he had become involved in drug dealing and was addicted to

crack cocaine Crack cocaine, commonly known simply as crack, and also known as rock, is a free base form of the stimulant cocaine that can be smoked. Crack offers a short, intense high to smokers. The ''Manual of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment'' calls ...

. He celebrated his release from prison with his second album for Island, ''Out Deh!'' (1983). Yellowman wrote the song ''Gregory Free'' also celebrating Isaacs release, and was later featured on the Young, Gifted and Yellow album. He was featured in the 1982 documentary '' Land of Look Behind''. When his contract with Island ended, Isaacs returned in 1984 with the "Kool Ruler Come Again" single, and began a period of prolific recording, working with producers including

Prince Jammy Lloyd James (born 26 October 1947),Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter: "Reggae: The Rough Guide", 1997, Rough Guides, better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a Jamaican dub mixer and record producer. He began his musical career as a dub ma ...

, Hugh "Redman" James, Bobby Digital, Tad Dawkins and Steely & Clevie, maintaining a consistent standard despite the volume of work produced. Isaacs then built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. They began with Isaacs's 1985 album ''Private Beach Party'', and had a hit with "Rumours" in 1988, which was followed by further popular singles including "Mind Yu Dis", "Rough Neck", "Too Good To Be True" and "Report to Me". The association with Clarke continued into the early 1990s, teaming up with singers including Freddie McGregor, Ninjaman and J.C. Lodge. He dueted with Beres Hammond on the 1993 Philip "Fatis" Burrell-produced "One Good Turn", Burrell also producing Isaacs's 1994 album ''Midnight Confidential''. In the 1990s, the African Museum label continued to release all of Isaacs's music, and that of artists he produced. In 1997

Simply Red Simply Red are a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. The lead vocalist of the band is singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, who, by the time the band initially disbanded in 2010, was the only original member left. Since t ...

covered " Night Nurse". Isaacs continued to record and perform live in the 2000s. In 2005 Lady Saw produced another version of "Night Nurse" with her toasting over the original

lyrics Lyrics are words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist. The words to an extended musical composition such as an opera are, however, usually known as a " libretto" and their writer, ...

. Isaacs's drug addiction had a major impact on his voice, with most of his teeth falling out as a result. Isaacs said of his addiction in 2007: "Drugs are a debasing weapon. It was the greatest college ever, but the most expensive school fee ever paid – the Cocaine High School. I learnt everything, and now I've put it on the side." He performed at the

ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 The 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup was the ninth Cricket World Cup, a One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament that took place in the West Indies from 13 March to 28 April 2007. There were a total of 51 matches played, three fewer than at the ...

Inauguration at Jamaica, and in 2007 he collaborated with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos/Rafael Lechowski album ''Donde Duele Inspira''. In 2008, Isaacs released a new studio album ''Brand New Me,'' which was nominated for the

Grammy Awards The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...

for 2010. The album received positive reviews from critics; Reggae Vibes wrote: "Gregory is back, and how! 'Brand New Me' is a very suitable album title for the cool ruler's new album. He is back in a different style, more or less like we were used to from this great 'lovers & roots' artist" This was followed in 2009 by the album ''My Kind Of Lady''. In 2010, Isaacs put out the last of his albums to be released while he was still living; ''Isaacs Meets Isaac,'' with Zimbabwean reggae singer King Isaac. In November 2010, ''Isaacs Meets Isaac'' was nominated for Best Reggae Album for the 2011 Grammy Awards, Isaacs's fourth Grammy nomination, and King Isaac's first. Gregory Isaacs Negril

Death

Isaacs died of lung cancer on 25 October 2010 at his home in

Harrow Weald Harrow Weald is a suburban district in Greater London, England. Located about north of Harrow, Harrow Weald is formed from a leafy 1930s suburban development along with ancient woodland of Harrow Weald Common. It forms part of the London Bor ...

, London. A memorial service was held on 20 November at Kingston's National Indoor Sports Centre, including a musical tribute from artists including Lloyd Parks and We the People Band,

Ken Boothe Kenneth George Boothe OD (born 22 March 1948) is a Jamaican vocalist known for his distinctive vibrato and timbre. Boothe achieved an international reputation as one of Jamaica's finest vocalists through a series of crossover hits that appeal ...

, Freddie McGregor,

Shaggy Shaggy may refer to: People *Shaggy (musician) (born 1968), Jamaican American reggae rapper and singer *Shaggy 2 Dope, half of the hip hop, horrorcore band Insane Clown Posse *Shaggy Flores (born 1973), Nuyorican poet, writer and African diaspora ...

, Judy Mowatt, Mavado,

the Tamlins The Tamlins are a Jamaican reggae vocal group formed in the late 1960s, known for their hits such as "Baltimore", and their work with artists such as Peter Tosh. History The group originally comprised Carlton Smith, Junior Moore and Winston Mor ...

and

Bongo Herman Herman Davis (born 16 September 1944), better known as Bongo Herman, is a Jamaican hand-drummer, percussionist and singer who has had a successful career stretching back to the early 1960s. Biography Herman Davis was born on 16 September 1944, ...

, before his remains were interred at the Dovecot Cemetery.Bring a red rose For Gregory
, ''

The Jamaica Observer ''Jamaica Observer'' is a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica. The publication is owned by Butch Stewart, who chartered the paper in January 1993 as a competitor to Jamaica's oldest daily paper, ''The Gleaner''. Its founding editor ...

'', 6 November 2010, retrieved 6 November 2010.

Legacy

The Gregory Isaacs Foundation was set up on 15 July 2011 (Isaacs's birthday) by his wife June Wyndham, with the intention of continuing his charitable work.Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2011),
Gregory Isaacs Foundation to be launched today"
, ''

'', 15 July 2011, retrieved 12 July 2012. A year later a free concert was staged featuring artists such as

U-Roy Ewart Beckford OD (21 September 1942 – 17 February 2021), known by the stage name U-Roy, was a Jamaican vocalist and pioneer of toasting.Jo-Ann GreeneU-Roy Biography, AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2013. U-Roy was known for a melodic style ...

Big Youth Manley Augustus Buchanan (born 19 April 1949, Trenchtown, Kingston, Jamaica),Thompson, Dave (2002) "Reggae & Caribbean Music", Backbeat Books, better known as Big Youth (sometimes called Jah Youth), is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his ...

, and the Mighty Diamonds, to raise funds for two schools.Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2012),
Hats off to Gregory"
''

'', 6 July 2012, retrieved 12 July 2012. In July 2015, a

mural A mural is any piece of graphic artwork that is painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling or other permanent substrate. Mural techniques include fresco, mosaic, graffiti and marouflage. Word mural in art The word ''mural'' is a Spanis ...

by Junior Moore depicting Isaacs was unveiled at 125 Orange Street, the former site of his Cash and Carry shop and now the Leggo Recording Studios. The unveiling also saw the launch of "Cool Ruler" spring water. In 2016, the Jamaican government announced that it would posthumously award Isaacs the

Order of Distinction The Order of Distinction is a national order in the Jamaican honours system. It is the sixth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament (''The National Honours and Awards Act'') ...

(Officer Class) in recognition of his contribution to the country's music. In October 2016 the UK branch of the Gregory Isaacs Foundation installed a commemorative blue plaque at 59 Weald Lane, Harrow, the house where Isaacs lived for the last three years of his life. In February 2018, a blue plaque was unveiled at Isaacs's former home at 15 Sunrise Crescent in St. Andrew, with the foundation also announcing plans to open a museum dedicated to Isaacs at the site.

Discography

More than 500 Gregory Isaacs albums have been released to date, a great many of them being compilations of previously released material. Only studio albums of original material are listed below: * 1975: ''In Person'' (

Trojan Trojan or Trojans may refer to: * Of or from the ancient city of Troy * Trojan language, the language of the historical Trojans Arts and entertainment Music * ''Les Troyens'' ('The Trojans'), an opera by Berlioz, premiered part 1863, part 189 ...

) * 1976: ''All I Have Is Love'' (Trojan) * 1977: ''Extra Classic'' (African Museum) * 1977: ''Mr Isaacs'' (DEB) * 1978: '' Cool Ruler'' (

Front Line A front line (alternatively front-line or frontline) in military terminology is the position(s) closest to the area of conflict of an armed force's personnel and equipment, usually referring to land forces. When a front (an intentional or unin ...

) * 1978: ''Slum (Gregory Isaacs in Dub)'' (Burning Sounds) * 1978: ''The Best of Gregory Isaacs'' (GG's) * 1979: ''Soon Forward'' (Front Line) * 1979: ''Gregory Isaacs Meets Ronnie Davis'' (Plant), with

Ronnie Davis Ronnie Davis (1950 – January 25, 2017) was a Jamaican reggae singer who was a member of The Tennors, The Itals, and the group Ronnie Davis & Idren. He lately performed as a solo artist. Biography Born in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland Pari ...

* 1980: ''Showcase'' (Taxi) * 1980: ''Lonely Lover'' (Pre) * 1981: ''More Gregory'' (Pre) * 1982: '' Night Nurse'' (Island/Mango) * 1983: ''The Sensational Gregory Isaacs'' (Vista) * 1983: ''Out Deh!'' (Island/Mango) * 1984: ''Let's Go Dancing'' * 1985: ''Judge Not'' ( Greensleeves), with Dennis Brown * 1985: ''

Private Beach Party ''Private Beach Party'' is a 1985 studio album by the Jamaican reggae singer Gregory Isaacs. The album continued Isaacs' working relationship with producer Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, to whom he would return in 1988 for the hugely successful "Rumo ...

'' (Greensleeves &

RAS Ras or RAS may refer to: Arts and media * RAS Records Real Authentic Sound, a reggae record label * Rundfunk Anstalt Südtirol, a south Tyrolese public broadcasting service * Rás 1, an Icelandic radio station * Rás 2, an Icelandic radio sta ...

) * 1985: ''Easy'' (Tad's) * 1986: ''Double Dose'' (Blue Trac), with Sugar Minott * 1987: ''All I Have is Love Love Love'' (Tad's) * 1987: ''Victim'' ( VP) * 1987: ''Watchman of the City'' (Rohit) * 1988: ''Come Along'' (Live & Love) * 1988: '' Red Rose for Gregory'' (Greensleeves & RAS) * 1989: ''Warning'' (Firehouse) * 1989: ''Feature Attraction'' (VP for Mixing Lab Records) * 1989: ''No Contest'' (Greensleeves & VP), with Dennis Brown * 1989: ''I.O.U.'' (Greensleeves & RAS) * 1990: ''Dancing Floor'' ( Heartbeat) * 1990: ''Call Me Collect'' (RAS) * 1991: ''Set Me Free'' (VP, Digital B & Vine Yard) * 1991: ''No Intention'' (VP) * 1991: ''Boom Shot'' ( Shanachie) * 1991: ''State of Shock'' (RAS) * 1991: ''Past and Future'' (VP) * 1992: ''Pardon Me!'' (RAS) * 1992: ''Cooyah!'' (label unknown) * 1992: ''Can't Stay Away'' (VP & Xterminator) * 1992: ''Rudie Boo'' (Star Trail) * 1993: ''Unattended // Absent'' (Pow Wow & Greensleeves) * 1993: ''Unlocked'' (RAS) * 1994: ''Midnight Confidential'' (Greensleeves for Xterminator Records) * 1995: ''Dreaming'' (Heartbeat) * 1995: ''Not a One Man Thing'' (RAS) * 1996: ''Private Lesson'' (Heartbeat) * 1996: ''Come Closer'' * 1996: ''Mr. Cool'' (VP) * 1996: ''Maximum Respect'' (House of Reggae) * 1997: ''Hold Tight'' (Heartbeat) * 1997: ''Hardcore Hits'' (Ikus) * 1997: ''Dance Curfew'' (Acid Jazz), with Dread Flimstone * 1998: ''Kingston 14 Denham Town'' (Jamaican Vibes) * 1998: ''Do Lord'' (Xterminator) * 1997: ''Happy As A King'' (

Raven A raven is any of several larger-bodied bird species of the genus '' Corvus''. These species do not form a single taxonomic group within the genus. There is no consistent distinction between " crows" and "ravens", common names which are assigne ...

) * 1999: ''New Dance'' (Prestige) * 1999: ''Turn Down The Lights'' (Artists Only) * 2000: ''So Much Love'' (Joe Gibbs Music) * 2000: ''Future Attraction'' (VP) * 2000: ''Father & Son'' (2B1 – Gregory Isaacs & Son) * 2002: ''It Go Now'' (2B1) *2003: Here By Appointment ( Jet Star Music) 2004: ''Life's Lonely Road'' * 2004: ''Give It All Up'' (Heartbeat) * 2004: ''One 2 One Volume 2'' (High Power Music, VP Records), with (

George Nooks George Nooks, Prince Mohamed, Prince Mohammed, or George Knooks (born c. 1958 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a reggae singer who initially found fame as a deejay. Biography Nooks started his musical career in the youth choir at his church, and move ...

) * 2004: ''Rat Patrol'' (African Museum) * 2004: ''Masterclass'' (Greensleeves for

Blacker Dread Molly Dineen (born 7 March 1959) is a television documentary director, cinematographer and producer. One of Britain's most acclaimed documentary filmmakers, Molly is known for her intimate and probing portraits of British individuals and instituti ...

Records) * 2005: Gregory Isaacs Sings Dennis Brown( Sanctuary Records Group LTD) 2005: ''Revenge'' (P.O.T.) * 2005: ''Substance Free'' (Vizion Sounds) * 2006: ''Come Take My Hand'' (Mun Mun) 2007: Gregory Isaacs In Dub *2007: Substance Free 2008: ''Hold Tight'' (Mafia & Fluxy) * 2008: ''Brand New Me'' (African Museum) * 2009: ''My Kind of Lady'' (Rude Productions) * 2010: ''Isaacs Meets Isaac'', with King Isaac (King Isaac Music)

Notes

References

* Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004), ''The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn.'', Rough Guides, * Larkin, Colin (1998), ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, * Thompson, Dave (2003), ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', Backbeat Books,

External links

Partial Discography
at Reggaeville {{DEFAULTSORT:Isaacs, Gregory 2010 deaths Lovers rock musicians Jamaican reggae musicians Jamaican reggae singers Jamaican expatriates in the United Kingdom Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica Deaths from lung cancer in England Trojan Records artists Island Records artists 1951 births Officers of the Order of Distinction VP Records artists Heartbeat Records artists