Mark Lane Mural

Gregory Issacs

(July 15, 1951 – October 25, 2010)

History

Gregory Anthony Isaacs, dubbed as having one of the most “exquisite voices in reggae”, began his recording career at seventeen years old in 1968. Like many other Jamaican acts, his career was bolstered through local talent contests. He made his debut with the single Another Heartache which was recorded by producer Byron Lee. Isaacs started his own record label with Errol Dunkley called African Museum record label and shop. It was there that he produced the first lovers rock record, My Only Lover. From there, an empire was in the making with productions such as All I Have Is Love, Lonely Soldier, Black a Kill Black.

Isaacs first No.1 single was Love is Overdue which broke free in 1974. He recorded with many of Jamaica’s top producers such as Winston “Niney” Holness, Gussie Clarke, Lee “Scratch” Perry among others. The 70s was Isaacs monumental period as he was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world. His international stardom also involved an appearance in the film Rockers.

History cont'd

With all the success, Isaacs had a cocaine addiction which then led to a six-month imprisonment for possession of unlicensed firearms in 1982. His plea was that the were for his protection and this being his 27^th arrest, it was discovered that he was involved in drug dealing and was addicted to crack cocaine. This however was not the end of his career. In 1984 Gregory built a strong relationship with producer Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label, where he began to work on his 1985 album, Private Beach Party. The early 1990s brought Isaacs to team up with now legendary singers such as Freddie McGreggor, Ninjaman, J.C. Lodge and Beres Hammond.

African Music record label continued to release all of Isaac’s music as well as artists he produced. Isaacs’ 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.”

Isaacs received four Grammy nominations. However, on October 25, 2010 he died at his London home of lung cancer.