Dobby Dobson
Encyclopedia
Highland "Dobby" Dobson is a Jamaican reggae
singer and record producer
, nicknamed 'The Loving Pauper' after one of his best known songs.
Opportunity Hour talent contest as a member of The Twilights.
He began recording in the ska
and rocksteady
eras as a member of Chuck and Dobby, and The Deltas, the latter along with Howard Barrett (who later formed The Paragons
). The group recorded a few tracks for Lindon and Sonia Pottinger
, with "Cry a Little Cry" topping the RJR chart, but soon split up, with Dobson continuing to record for Pottinger. He later moved on to work with both Coxsone Dodd
and Duke Reid
, recording as a member of both The Virtues and The Sheiks, and recorded "Loving Pauper" with Reid, which became his signature tune. Despite his musical success, Dobson kept his job as a salesman and proof-reader for The Jamaican Gleaner
. In 1971, he recorded "That Wonderful Sound" for Rupie Edwards
, which sold over 40,000 copies in the Caribbean, and was followed up by the equally successful "Endlessly", which was also a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart
.
Disappointing album sales led Dobson to move into production, including The Meditations
' late 1970s albums Message From The Meditations and Wake Up, as well as early work by Barrington Levy
. In 1979, Dobson emigrated to New York
, where he worked in real estate
, although he would still occasionally visit the recording studio, and performed at both the Reggae Sunsplash
and the Reggae Sumfest
festivals. He continues to be popular with international fans, and is still releasing albums.
Dobson was featured in a 2009 theatrical 3-D documentary, by Canadian actors/exploitation filmmakers, Tony 'Tex' Watt and Vivita (Frankenpimp, Vixen Highway 2006, Dirty Rock 'n' Roll), called, Dobby Dobson: An Interview With Jamaica's Music Ambassador; with the tagline: "See The Double-D in 3D".
On 6 August 2011, being the 49th anniversary of the country's independence, the Governor-General of Jamaica
conferred the Order of Distinction
in the rank of Officer (OD) upon Dobson, for his contribution to reggae music and representation of Jamaican culture.
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...
singer and record producer
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...
, nicknamed 'The Loving Pauper' after one of his best known songs.
Biography
Dobson began singing at school, and successfully took part in Vere JohnsVere Johns
Vere Everette Johns was a Jamaican journalist, impresario, radio personality, and actor, who helped to launch the careers of many Jamaican musicians through his popular talent contests.-Biography:...
Opportunity Hour talent contest as a member of The Twilights.
He began recording in the 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...
and 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...
eras as a member of Chuck and Dobby, and The Deltas, the latter along with Howard Barrett (who later formed The Paragons
The Paragons
The Paragons were a rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, active in the 1960s. Their most famous track was "The Tide Is High", written by band member, John Holt.-Career:...
). The group recorded a few tracks for Lindon and Sonia Pottinger
Sonia Pottinger
Sonia Eloise Pottinger OD was a Jamaican reggae record producer.The most important Jamaican woman involved in music business, Sonia Pottinger was the first female Jamaican record producer and produced artists from the mid 1960s until the mid 1980s.Married to music producer Lyndon Pottinger, she...
, with "Cry a Little Cry" topping the RJR chart, but soon split up, with Dobson continuing to record for Pottinger. He later moved on to work with both 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...
and 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....
, recording as a member of both The Virtues and The Sheiks, and recorded "Loving Pauper" with Reid, which became his signature tune. Despite his musical success, Dobson kept his job as a salesman and proof-reader for The Jamaican Gleaner
Gleaner
Gleaner may refer to:*Gleaner Company, a newspaper publishing enterprise in Jamaica.*Gleaner Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of combine harvesters.*Gleaning, the collection of crops left over after harvest....
. In 1971, he recorded "That Wonderful Sound" for Rupie Edwards
Rupie Edwards
Rupie Edwards is a Jamaican reggae singer and record producer.-Biography:...
, which sold over 40,000 copies in the Caribbean, and was followed up by the equally successful "Endlessly", which was also a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The 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 ...
.
Disappointing album sales led Dobson to move into production, including The Meditations
The Meditations
The Meditations are a reggae vocal harmony group from Jamaica formed in late 1974. They have released several studio albums and are still performing in the 2000s and today.-History:...
' late 1970s albums Message From The Meditations and Wake Up, as well as early work by Barrington Levy
Barrington Levy
Barrington Levy is a reggae and dancehall artist from Jamaica.-Career:In 1976, Levy formed a band with his cousin, Everton Dacres, called the Mighty Multitude; the pair released "My Black Girl" in 1977...
. In 1979, Dobson emigrated to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he worked in real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
, although he would still occasionally visit the recording studio, and performed at both the Reggae Sunsplash
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...
and the Reggae Sumfest
Reggae Sumfest
Reggae Sumfest is the largest concert festival in Jamaica, taking place each year in mid-July in Montego Bay. Sumfest, started in 1993, is officially sponsored by Red Stripe....
festivals. He continues to be popular with international fans, and is still releasing albums.
Dobson was featured in a 2009 theatrical 3-D documentary, by Canadian actors/exploitation filmmakers, Tony 'Tex' Watt and Vivita (Frankenpimp, Vixen Highway 2006, Dirty Rock 'n' Roll), called, Dobby Dobson: An Interview With Jamaica's Music Ambassador; with the tagline: "See The Double-D in 3D".
On 6 August 2011, being the 49th anniversary of the country's independence, the Governor-General of Jamaica
Governor-General of Jamaica
The Governor-General of Jamaica represents the Jamaican monarch, and head of state, who holds the title of King or Queen of Jamaica ....
conferred the Order of Distinction
Order of distinction
The Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth 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.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
in the rank of Officer (OD) upon Dobson, for his contribution to reggae music and representation of Jamaican culture.
Albums
- Wonderful Sound (1977) - Success
- Sweet Dreams (1978) - Federal
- Sweet Christmas (197?) - Top Ranking (featuring Ringo)
- History For Lovers (1990) - Shelley
- Through The Years (1991) - Studio One
- At Last (1994) - Angella
- Best of Dobby Dobson (1997) - Super Power
- If I Only Had Time (1997) - Angella
- The Vintage Series (2000) - VPVP RecordsVP Records is an independent reggae record label, located in Queens, New York. It is best known for producing Caribbean singers.-The foundation:...
- Greatest Hits - Sonic Sounds
- Lovers Prayer (2005)
- Hide Under The Bed - Innerbeat
- Those Days are Gone
- He Knows My Heart (2007)