Studio One artist Roy Richards the ‘Jamaican Stevie Wonder’, born in 1941, has contributed much to the Jamaican music industry being a multi-talented artist (despite being blind) who not only played the harmonica but was an accomplished singer and drummer. After getting his big break on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour Talent Series - a weekly show stagged at various theatres across the island in the late 1950s - he was introduced to the recording industry by the late Sir Coxsone Dodd of Studio One.
Roy toured Britain in ‘92/3 delivering high-energy performances a la James Brown backed by a tight young band called The Worries…
However in later years he served as a part of music legend Bryon Lee’s backing band. He has also worked with a number of female acts including Enid Cumberland (from the duo Keith & Enid). His well known tracks include Veitnam and Contact on harmonica and Freedoms Blues.
Roy passed away peacefully at his home in St.Ann’s Bay, Jamaica in 2007.
Gone but never forgotten. |
