Derrick Morgan
Encyclopedia
Derrick Morgan is a musical artist
popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with Desmond Dekker
, Bob Marley
, and Jimmy Cliff
in the rhythm and blues
and ska
genres, and he also performed rocksteady
and skinhead
reggae
.
. He won with rousing impressions of Little Richard
, and shortly after that, was recruited to perform around the island with the popular Jamaican comedy team, Bim and Bam. In 1959 Morgan entered the recording studio
for the first time. Duke Reid
, the acclaimed sound system
boss, was looking for talent to record for his Treasure Isle record label
. Morgan cut two popular shuffle-boogie
sides "Lover Boy", a.k.a. "S-Corner Rock", and "Oh My". Soon after, Morgan cut the bolero
tinged boogie, "Fat Man", which also became a hit. He also found time to record
for Coxsone Dodd
.
In 1960 Morgan became the only artist ever to fill the places from one to seven on the Jamaican pop
chart
simultaneously. Among those hits were "Don't Call Me Daddy", "In My Heart", "Be Still", and "Meekly Wait and Murmur Not". But it was the following year that Morgan released the biggest hit of his career, the Leslie Kong
production
of "You Don't Know", later retitled "Housewives’ Choice" by a local DJ
. The song featured a bouncing ska riddim
, along with a duet
by Morgan and Millicent "Patsy" Todd.
"Housewives’ Choice" began the legendary rivalry between Morgan and Prince Buster
, who accused Morgan of stealing his ideas. Buster quickly released "Blackhead Chiney Man", chiding Morgan with the sarcastic put-down, "I did not know your parents were from Hong Kong
" – a swipe at Kong. Morgan returned with the classic "Blazing Fire", in which he warns Buster to "Live and let others live, and your days will be much longer. You said it. Now it’s the Blazing Fire". Buster shot back with, "Watch It Blackhead", which Morgan countered with "No Raise No Praise" and "Still Insist". Followers of the two artists often clashed, and eventually the government had to step in with a staged photo shoot depicting the rivals as friends.
In the mid-1960s, when ska evolved into the cooler, more soulful rocksteady
, Morgan continued to release top quality material, including the seminal rude boy
classic, "Tougher Than Tough", "Do the Beng Beng", "Conquering Ruler", and a cover
of Ben E. King
’s soul
hit, "Seven Letters". Produced by Bunny Lee
, "Seven Letters" is often cited as the first true reggae single. In 1969 Morgan cut the famous skinhead anthem, "Moon Hop" (on Crab Records
). However, failing eyesight then forced him to give up regular stage
appearances. Morgan still performs occasionally at ska revival shows across the world
– often backed by the guitarist
, Lynn Taitt
. He remained popular in Jamaica and the UK
into the early 1970s, and has lived primarily in the UK or the US
since the late 1960s.
In July 2002 in Toronto
, Canada
, a two night 'Legends of Ska' concert was held. Reuniting were The Skatalites
, Lloyd Knibb, Rico Rodriguez
, Lloyd Brevett
, Lester Sterling
, Johnny Moore
and Lynn Taitt
; along with Prince Buster
, Alton Ellis
, Owen Gray
, Lord Creator
, Justin Hinds
, Derrick Harriott
, Winston Samuels, Roy Wilson
, Patsy Todd, Doreen Shaffer, Stranger Cole
, Lord Tanamo
and Derrick Morgan. In 2007 Morgan appeared on the bill at the annual Augustibuller music festival
. His song "Tougher Than Tough" was featured in the video game, Scarface: The World is Yours
.
Singles on Crab Records
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
, and Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff, OM is a Jamaican musician, singer and actor. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences...
in the rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
genres, and he also performed rocksteady
Rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals and The Paragons. The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton...
and skinhead
Skinhead
A skinhead is a member of a subculture that originated among working class youths in the United Kingdom in the 1960s, and then spread to other parts of the world. Named for their close-cropped or shaven heads, the first skinheads were greatly influenced by West Indian rude boys and British mods,...
reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
.
Biography
In 1957 Morgan entered the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, a talent show held at the Palace Theatre in KingstonKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
. He won with rousing impressions of Little Richard
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman , known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and...
, and shortly after that, was recruited to perform around the island with the popular Jamaican comedy team, Bim and Bam. In 1959 Morgan entered the recording studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
for the first time. Duke Reid
Duke Reid
Treasure Isle re-directs here. For the game, see Treasure Isle .Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner....
, the acclaimed sound system
Sound system
-Technology:* Sound reinforcement system, a system for amplifying audio for an audience* A high fidelity, sound system intended for accurate reproduction of sound in the home...
boss, was looking for talent to record for his Treasure Isle record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Morgan cut two popular shuffle-boogie
Boogie
Boogie is a repetitive, swung note or shuffle rhythm, "groove" or pattern used in blues which was originally played on the piano in boogie-woogie music. The characteristic rhythm and feel of the boogie was then adapted to guitar, double bass, and other instruments. The earliest recorded...
sides "Lover Boy", a.k.a. "S-Corner Rock", and "Oh My". Soon after, Morgan cut the bolero
Bolero
Bolero is a form of slow-tempo Latin music and its associated dance and song. There are Spanish and Cuban forms which are both significant and which have separate origins.The term is also used for some art music...
tinged boogie, "Fat Man", which also became a hit. He also found time to record
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
for Coxsone Dodd
Coxsone Dodd
Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, CD was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond...
.
In 1960 Morgan became the only artist ever to fill the places from one to seven on the Jamaican pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
simultaneously. Among those hits were "Don't Call Me Daddy", "In My Heart", "Be Still", and "Meekly Wait and Murmur Not". But it was the following year that Morgan released the biggest hit of his career, the Leslie Kong
Leslie Kong
Leslie Kong was a Chinese Jamaican record producer.-Career:Leslie and his two older brothers Cecil and Lloyd ran a restaurant, ice cream parlour and record shop called Beverley's in Orange Street, Kingston...
production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
of "You Don't Know", later retitled "Housewives’ Choice" by a local DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
. The song featured a bouncing ska riddim
Riddim
Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for...
, along with a duet
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
by Morgan and Millicent "Patsy" Todd.
"Housewives’ Choice" began the legendary rivalry between Morgan and Prince Buster
Prince Buster
Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
, who accused Morgan of stealing his ideas. Buster quickly released "Blackhead Chiney Man", chiding Morgan with the sarcastic put-down, "I did not know your parents were from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
" – a swipe at Kong. Morgan returned with the classic "Blazing Fire", in which he warns Buster to "Live and let others live, and your days will be much longer. You said it. Now it’s the Blazing Fire". Buster shot back with, "Watch It Blackhead", which Morgan countered with "No Raise No Praise" and "Still Insist". Followers of the two artists often clashed, and eventually the government had to step in with a staged photo shoot depicting the rivals as friends.
In the mid-1960s, when ska evolved into the cooler, more soulful rocksteady
Rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals and The Paragons. The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton...
, Morgan continued to release top quality material, including the seminal rude boy
Rude boy
Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi or rudy are common terms used in Jamaica. In the 1960s it was also used for juvenile delinquents and criminals in Jamaica, and has since been used in other contexts...
classic, "Tougher Than Tough", "Do the Beng Beng", "Conquering Ruler", and a cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Ben E. King
Ben E. King
Benjamin Earl King , better known as Ben E. King, is an American soul singer. He is perhaps best known as the singer and co-composer of "Stand by Me", a U.S...
’s soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
hit, "Seven Letters". Produced by Bunny Lee
Bunny Lee
Edward O'Sullivan Lee, better known as Bunny "Striker" Lee is a prominent, prolific and successful record producer best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
, "Seven Letters" is often cited as the first true reggae single. In 1969 Morgan cut the famous skinhead anthem, "Moon Hop" (on Crab Records
Crab Records
Crab Records was a reggae label that issued releases from 1968 to 1971. Crab was a subsidiary of Pama Records, who along with Trojan Records, was one the major labels for reggae music in the UK...
). However, failing eyesight then forced him to give up regular stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
appearances. Morgan still performs occasionally at ska revival shows across the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
– often backed by the guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, Lynn Taitt
Lynn Taitt
Lynn Taitt was a reggae guitarist born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, closely associated with Jamaican rocksteady music.-Biography:...
. He remained popular in Jamaica and the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
into the early 1970s, and has lived primarily in the UK or the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
since the late 1960s.
In July 2002 in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, a two night 'Legends of Ska' concert was held. Reuniting were The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
, Lloyd Knibb, Rico Rodriguez
Rico Rodriguez
Rico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
, Lloyd Brevett
Lloyd Brevett
Lloyd Brevett is a Jamaican double bassist, and a former member of The Skatalites. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, is a rastafarian, and a brother of The Melodians member, Tony Brevett....
, Lester Sterling
Lester Sterling
Lester Sterling is a Jamaican trumpet and saxophone player.-Biography:Like many Jamaican musicians of his generation, Sterling attended the Alpha Boys School....
, Johnny Moore
Johnny Moore (trumpeter)
John Arlington "Dizzy" Moore OD was a Jamaican trumpet player and founding member of pioneering Jamaican ska and reggae act, The Skatalites.-Biography:...
and Lynn Taitt
Lynn Taitt
Lynn Taitt was a reggae guitarist born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, closely associated with Jamaican rocksteady music.-Biography:...
; along with Prince Buster
Prince Buster
Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
, Alton Ellis
Alton Ellis
Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD, was a Jamaican musician best known as one of the innovators of rocksteady music and was often referred to as the "Godfather of Rocksteady". In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.-Biography:Ellis was born in 1938 and...
, Owen Gray
Owen Gray
Owen Gray also known as Owen Grey is one of Jamaica's 'Foundation' singers whose work spans the R&B, ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras of Jamaican music, and he has been credited as Jamaica's first home-grown singing star....
, Lord Creator
Lord Creator
Lord Creator is a calypso and soca artist. Alongside Cuban born Rolando Alphonso, Barbadian Jackie Opel and fellow Trinidadians Lynn Taitt and Lord Bryner, Lord Creator was an important and positive 'outside' influence during the early development of the Jamaican music scene.-Career:He started as...
, Justin Hinds
Justin Hinds
Justin Hinds was a Jamaican ska vocalist, with his backing singers the Dominoes.He is best known for his work with Duke Reid's Treasure Isle Records, where his most notable song, "Carry Go Bring Come" recorded in late 1963, went to number one in Jamaica...
, Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott
Derrick Harriott is a singer and record producer. He has produced recordings by Big Youth, Chariot Riders, The Chosen Few, Dennis Brown, The Ethiopians, Keith & Tex, The Kingstonians, Rudy Mills, Scotty, Sly & Revolutionaries, and Winston McAnuff.-Biography:As a student at Excelsior High School,...
, Winston Samuels, Roy Wilson
Roy Wilson
Roy Edward Wilson was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.He played briefly for the Chicago White Sox during the 1928 season. Wilson batted and threw left-handed....
, Patsy Todd, Doreen Shaffer, Stranger Cole
Stranger Cole
Stranger Cole, also known as StrangeJah Cole is a Jamaican singer whose long recording career dates from the early days of ska in 1962 through to the 2000s.-Biography:...
, Lord Tanamo
Lord Tanamo
Lord Tanamo is best known as a mento and ska performer and songwriter. He helped create the sound we now know as ska, by combining elements of calypso gleaned from Lord Kitchener, with the lilting mento rhythms of his childhood...
and Derrick Morgan. In 2007 Morgan appeared on the bill at the annual Augustibuller music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
. His song "Tougher Than Tough" was featured in the video game, Scarface: The World is Yours
Scarface: The World is Yours
Scarface: The World Is Yours is a video game developed by Radical Entertainment and published by Vivendi Universal Games. The game is based on and is a quasi-sequel to the 1983 motion picture Scarface starring Al Pacino reprising his role as Tony Montana, with André Sogliuzzo providing Montana's...
.
Albums
- Seven Letters (1969)
- Derrick Morgan in London (1969)
- Moon Hop (1970)
- Feel So Good (1975) (featuring Hortense EllisHortense EllisHortense Ellis was a reggae musician, and the younger sister of fellow artist, Alton Ellis.-Biography:Her father worked on the railways while her mother ran a fruit stall. She was 18 years old when she appeared on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, then Jamaica's foremost outlet for young...
) - People's Decision (1977)
- Still in Love (1977) (also featuring Hortense Ellis)
- Sunset at Moonlight City
- Love City
- The Legend of Derrick Morgan (1980)
- I Am the Ruler (1992) - Trojan RecordsTrojan RecordsTrojan Records is a British record label founded in 1968. It specialises in ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub music. The label currently operates under the Sanctuary Records Group. The name Trojan comes from the Croydon-built Trojan truck that was used as Duke Reid's sound system in Jamaica...
- Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court) (1992)
- The Conquering Ruler (and the Sensational Yebo) (1994) - Pork Pie Records
- Ska Man Classics (1995)
- Ska Man Classics (1997)
- 21 Hits Salute (1997)
- Meets the High Notes Live (2003)
- Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960-69 (2003)
- Derrick:Top the Top (2003)
- Derrick Meets the High Notes (2004)
Singles
- "The Hop" / "Tell It To Me", 7": Island WI 006, UK, 1962
- "Forward March" / "Please Don't Talk About Me", 7": Island WI 011, UK, 1962
- "See The Blind" / "Cherry Home", 7": Island WI 013, UK, 1962
- "Moon Hop" - 1970 - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
No. 49
Singles on Crab Records
Crab Records
Crab Records was a reggae label that issued releases from 1968 to 1971. Crab was a subsidiary of Pama Records, who along with Trojan Records, was one the major labels for reggae music in the UK...
- River To The Bank / Reggae Limbo 7" (B side - Peter King)
- Seven Letters / Lonely Heartaches 7" (B side - The Tartons)
- The First Taste Of Love / Dance All Night 7"
- Don't Play That Song / How Can I Forget You 7"
- Mek It Tan Deh / Gimme Back 7"
- Send Me Some Loving / Come What May 7"
- Hard Time / Death Rides A Horse 7" (B Side - Roy Richards)
- Man Pon Moon / What A Thing 7"
- Moon Hop / Harris Wheel 7" (B Side - Reggaeites)
- A Night At The Hop / Telephone 7"
- Oh Baby / The Rat 7" (B Side - The Thunderbirds)
- Need To Belong / Let's Have Some Fun 7" (With Jennifer Jones)
- I Wish I Was An Apple / The Story 7"
- Take A Letter Maria / Just A Little Loving 7" (With Owen Gray)
- Rocking Good Way / Wipe These Tears 7" (With Jennifer Jones)
- My Dickie / Brixton Hop 7"
- I Can't Stand It No Longer / Beyond The Wall 7"
- Endlessly / Who's Making Love 7"
- Hurt Me / Julia 7"
- Searching So Long / Drums Of Passion 7"
See also
- Crab RecordsCrab RecordsCrab Records was a reggae label that issued releases from 1968 to 1971. Crab was a subsidiary of Pama Records, who along with Trojan Records, was one the major labels for reggae music in the UK...
- Reggae genres
- List of ska musicians
- List of reggae musicians
External links
- [ Derrick Morgan biography] at Allmusic websiteWebsiteA website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
- Reggaetrain.com biography
- Interview with Derrick Morgan
- Fansite discography
- Jamaica Observer article on the rivalry with Prince Buster
- Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960-69 review