Winston Rodney OD (born 1 March 1945), better known by the stage name Burning Spear, is a Jamaican

roots reggae Roots reggae is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of Ethnic groups of Africa, Africans and those in the African Diaspora, including the spiritual side of Rastafari, black liberation, revolution and the ho ...

singer-songwriter, vocalist, and musician. Burning Spear is a

Rastafarian Rastafari is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It is classified as both a new religious movement and a social movement by scholars of religion. There is no central authority in control of the movement and much ...

and one of the most influential and long-standing roots artists to emerge from the 1970s.Larkin, Colin (2002) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of 70s Music'', Virgin Books, , p. 57

Early life

Winston Rodney was born in Saint Ann's Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica. He is married to Sonia Rodney. As a young man he listened to the R&B, soul and jazz music transmitted by the US radio stations whose broadcasts reached Jamaica.

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Dubbed the " Gentle Genius", he is considered one of the most influential musicians of soul and socially conscious Afric ...

is cited by Rodney as a major US musical influence along with

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

. 'Our Music': New Reggae from Burning Spear by Christopher Johnson
NPR Radio Show transcription 19 October 2005. Retrieved 27 April 2013 Rodney was deeply influenced as a young man by the views of the political activist

Marcus Garvey Marcus Mosiah Garvey Jr. (17 August 188710 June 1940) was a Jamaican political activist. He was the founder and first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) (commonly known a ...

, especially with regard to the exploration of the themes of Pan-Africanism and

self-determination Self-determination refers to a people's right to form its own political entity, and internal self-determination is the right to representative government with full suffrage. Self-determination is a cardinal principle in modern international la ...

. In 1969,

Bob Marley Robert Nesta Marley (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, he fused elements of reggae, ska and rocksteady and was renowned for his distinctive voca ...

, who was also from Saint Ann, advised Rodney to approach

Coxsone Dodd Clement Seymour "Coxsone" Dodd (26 January 1932 – 4 May 2004) was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. He was nicknamed "Coxsone" at school due to his talent ...

's Studio One label after Rodney sought his advice during a casual conversation.Thompson, Dave: ''Reggae & Caribbean Music'', 2002, Backbeat Books, , p. 51-54Jackson, Kevin (2004) "Audience appreciation gives Burning Spear the drive to continue", ''

Jamaica Observer The ''Jamaica Observer'' is a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica Kingston is the Capital (political), capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by ...

'', 23 July 2004.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) ''The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn.'', Rough Guides, , p. 95

Career

Burning Spear was originally Rodney's group, named after a military award given by Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of an independent

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

, and included bass singer Rupert Willington. The duo auditioned for Dodd in 1969 which led to the release of their debut single "Door Peep" (the session also included Cedric Brooks on saxophone). They were then joined by tenor Delroy Hinds. The trio recorded several more singles for Dodd, and two albums, before they moved on to work with

Jack Ruby Jack Leon Ruby (born Jacob Leon Rubenstein; March 25, 1911January 3, 1967) was an American nightclub owner who murdered Lee Harvey Oswald on November 24, 1963, two days after Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Born in Chicago, R ...

in 1975. Their first recording with Ruby, "Marcus Garvey", was intended as an exclusive track for Ruby's

Ocho Rios Ocho Rios (Spanish for "Eight Rivers") () is a town in the parish of Saint Ann on the north coast of Jamaica, and is more widely referred to as ''Ochi'' by locals. Beginning as a sleepy fishing village, Ocho Rios has seen explosive growth ...

–based Hi-Power

sound system Sound system may refer to: Technology media * Sound reinforcement system, a system for amplifying audio for an audience * High fidelity, a sound system intended for accurate reproduction of music in the home * Public address system, an institution ...

, but was released as a single, giving them an immediate hit, and was followed by "Slavery Days". These recordings featured the backing band The Black Disciples, which included Earl "Chinna" Smith, Valentine Chin, Robbie Shakespeare and Leroy Wallace. The group worked with Ruby on their third album, ''

'' (1975), which was immediately successful and led to a deal with

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

to give the album a wider release. Island remixed and altered the speed of some of the tracks, much to the annoyance of fans and the group,Greene, Jo-Ann " Burning Spear Biography,

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

, Macrovision Corporation leading Rodney to set up his own Burning Music label for future releases where he would have full control, although further releases followed on Island including '' Garvey's Ghost'', a dub version of the Marcus Garvey album, and '' Man in the Hills''. In late 1976, Rodney split from both Ruby and group members Willington and Hinds, and from that point on used the name Burning Spear for himself alone. ''Dry and Heavy'' followed in 1977, self-produced but still on Island, and with a sizeable following by now in the United Kingdom, he performed in London that year with members of Aswad acting as his backing band for a sold-out show at the

Rainbow Theatre The Rainbow Theatre, originally known as the Finsbury Park Astoria, then the Finsbury Park Paramount Astoria, and then the Finsbury Park Odeon, is a Grade II*-listed building in Finsbury Park, London. The theatre was built in 1930 as an "atmos ...

, which was recorded and released as the album ''Live!''. Aswad also provided backing on his next studio album, '' Social Living'' (1978), which also featured

Sly Dunbar Lowell Fillmore "Sly" Dunbar (born 10 May 1952, Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican drummer, best known as one half of the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and reggae production duo Sly and Robbie. Biography Dunbar began playing at 15 in a ba ...

and Rico Rodriguez. A dub version of the album, ''Living Dub'' (1979), was mixed by Sylvan Morris. His profile was raised further by an appearance in the film '' Rockers'', performing "Jah no Dead". In 1980, Rodney left Island Records and set up the Burning Music Production Company, which he signed to EMI, debuting on the label with '' Hail H.I.M.'', recorded at Marley's

Tuff Gong Tuff Gong is the brand name associated with a number of businesses started by Bob Marley and the Marley family. 'Tuff Gong' comes from Marley's nickname, which was in turn an echo of that given to founder of the Rastafari movement, Leonard "T ...

studio and co-produced by Aston Barrett. A Sylvan Morris dub version followed in the form of ''Living Dub Volume Two''. In 1982, Rodney signed with

Heartbeat Records Heartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington, Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music. Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of ...

with a series of well-received albums following, including the 1985

Grammy The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

-nominated ''Resistance''. He returned to Island in the early 1990s, releasing two albums before rejoining Heartbeat. This arrangement in which Burning Music Productions delivered completed albums of music to EMI, Island and Heartbeat Records for worldwide distribution lasted for many years. When Heartbeat ceased releasing new material, Burning Music took matters into their own hands and began to release music solely through their own imprint. Albums released by Heartbeat through an agreement with Burning Music include: ''The World Should Know'' (1993), ''Rasta Business'' (1995), ''Appointment with His Majesty'' (1997) and the Grammy award winning ''Calling Rastafari'' (1999) which was the last completed album to be solely pressed by an outside label. Burning Spear spent decades touring extensively, and several live albums have been issued including ''Burning Spear Live'', ''Live in Paris'', ''Live in South Africa'', ''Live in Vermont'', ''Peace and Love Live'', ''Live at Montreux Jazz Festival'' and ''(A)live 1997''. Touring the world time and time again, the band's live sound matured and grew more sophisticated. While remaining firmly rooted in reggae, accents of free jazz, funk and psychedelic music were increasingly in evidence. His 1999 album, '' Calling Rastafari'' brought his first

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

in 2000,Moskowitz, David V. (2006) ''Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall'', Greenwood Press, , p. 45-46 a feat which he repeated with '' Jah Is Real'' in 2009.Rodman, Sarah (2009)
Roots-reggae pioneer keeps it ‘Real’
, ''

Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe,'' also known locally as ''the Globe'', is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Boston Globe'' is the oldest and largest daily new ...

'', 3 July 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009 In 2000 Home to My Roots Tour he performed in Cape Town, South Africa alongside other reggae icon Joseph Hill with

Culture (band) Culture are a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples. The one constant member until his death in 2006 was Joseph Hill (musician), Joseph Hill. History The group formed in 1976 as the ...

. In 2002 he and his wife, Sonia Rodney who has produced a number of his albums, restarted Burning Music Records, giving him a greater degree of artistic control.Brooks, Sadeke (2009)
Grammy Nods Burning Spear optimistic
", ''

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. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the Western Hemisphere. Original ...

'', 1 February 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2009 Since the mid-1990s, he has been based in

Queens Queens is the largest by area of the Boroughs of New York City, five boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located near the western end of Long Island, it is bordered by the ...

in New York City.Baxter, Nicky (1996)
Reggae Torch Bearer: Burning Spear remembers the days of slavery
, '' Metroactive'', 15–21 February 1996. Retrieved 20 September 2009 Burning Spear was awarded the

Order of Distinction The Order of Distinction (OD) 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 Ac ...

in the rank of Officer on 15 October 2007. Since establishing their own label, Winston and Sonia Rodney have released nearly forty singles, CDs, DVDs and vinyl albums on the Burning Music imprint. Many of these albums have been deluxe editions of albums previously available on other labels and often include bonus tracks and DVD footage. In 2016 Rodney announced his retirement, but in 2022 it was announced that he would perform at the Rototom Sunsplash festival in Spain, and on the 'Welcome to Jamrock' cruise in December. Rodney announced three shows in California in July 2022: San Francisco on 22 July, San Diego on 23 July and Los Angeles on 24 July. He also announced a show at the Levitt Pavilion, Denver, Colorado on 30 July 2022. These shows were followed by two dates in the UK, at Forum Birmingham on 13 August and the O2 Academy, Brixton, London on 14 August. On 14 August 2023 he performed a highly acclaimed, packed-out show in the Barby Club live music venue in

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv-Yafo ( or , ; ), sometimes rendered as Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and usually referred to as just Tel Aviv, is the most populous city in the Gush Dan metropolitan area of Israel. Located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline and with a popula ...

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

and on 15 August 2023 in

Megiddo, Israel Megiddo (، ) is a kibbutz in northern Israel, built in 1949. Located in the Jezreel Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Megiddo Regional Council. In , it had a population of . The kibbutz is located near Megiddo Junction, the intersec ...

where he appeared together with Ehud Banai.

Discography

Awards

Burning Spear has won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album; one at the 42nd Grammy Awards in 2000 for ''Calling Rastafari'', and one for 2009's ''Jah Is Real''. He has been nominated for a total of 12 Grammy Awards. Nominations for

Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album The Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album is an award presented at the Grammy Awards for quality works in the reggae genre. Originally called the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Recording, the honor was presented to artists for eligible songs or albums. ...

: *1986 '' Resistance'' * 1988 '' People of the World'' * 1990 '' Live in Paris Zenith '88'' * 1991 '' Mek We Dweet'' * 1994 '' The World Should Know'' * 1996 '' Rasta Business'' * 1998 '' Appointment with His Majesty'' * 2000 '' Calling Rastafari'' (winner) * 2004 '' Free Man'' * 2006 '' Our Music'' * 2008 '' The Burning Spear Experience'' * 2009 '' Jah Is Real'' (winner) * 2024 '' No Destroyer''

References

External links

* {{Authority control 1945 births Living people 20th-century Jamaican male singers 21st-century Jamaican male singers Jamaican reggae singers Jamaican dub musicians Jamaican expatriates in the United States Jamaican male songwriters Jamaican Rastafarians Converts to the Rastafari movement Performers of Rastafarian music Capo Records artists Island Records artists Slash Records artists Grammy Award winners Musicians from Saint Ann Parish Officers of the Order of Distinction