Unsung Reggae Artist (Gregory Isaacs)




Next up in our Unsung series is Gregory Isaacs. Gregory was born on July 15, 1951, in the Fletcher's Land area of Kingston, Jamaica. He entered several talent shows and was first noticed by Bryon Lee. Bryon brought him and Winston Sinclair to record a duet titled "Another Heartbreak" (click on the video below to hear this track). It has no success.

Gregory then joined a trio called The Concords. They spent the next couple years recording and releasing singles but did not gain the interest of the Jamaican audience. The Concords ended in 1970 and Isaacs went at it alone for the next couple years. Isaacs persisted despite his failures and set up his own record store and label, African Museum, in partnership with Errol Dunkley in 1973. Under this label, Isaacs released his first hit "My Only Lover." This is credited as the first lover's rock record ever made.

To finance more recordings made by African Museum's label and shop, Gregory recorded for other producers and made a series of hits. These hits ranged from ballads and roots Reggae songs such as "Black a Kill Black", "Lonely Soldier", "All I Have is Love"  to a cover of Dobby Dobson's "Loving Pauper". 
He worked with producer Anglin Ranglin in 1974 and produced his first Jamaican #1 hit single titled "Love is Overdue". 

There was no slowing down for Gregory. He recorded with many of the Island's top producers, some of these were Lee "Scratch" Perry, Gussy Clarke, Harry Mudie, and Winston "Niney" Holness. Isaacs became one of the biggest Reggae performers in the world. He regularly toured UK & US, with Dennis Brown and Bob Marley being his only competition. 
Image result for Dennis Brown Bob marley

 In 1978, Gregory signed to Virgin Records offshoot Front Line Records and appeared in the film Rockers, a 1978 Jamaican film by Theodoros Bakaloufos. However, his two albums Cool Runner and Soon Forward released at the time didn't sell as much as anticipated. Though these are today considered his best work. Also, Cool Runner is one of Gregory's most renowned nicknames today. 

Image result for Cool Runner and Soon Forward gregory isaacs   Image result for Cool Runner and Soon Forward gregory isaacs

 Gregory continued to record and performed at renowned shows, one being Reggae Sunsplash which he performed annually until 1991. He later signed to Island Records and released a major hit called "Night Nurse". This finally opened him up to a wider audience. "Night Nurse" received heavy radio play and was loved by many, even used in cold and flu adverts.

With great success came great trouble. Gregory developed a drug addiction and was involved in drug dealing. He ended up serving 6 months in a Kingston prison due to possession of unlicensed firearms. In 1982, he was released from prison and celebrated with his second album "Out Deh!". His prosperity resumed and he worked with the island's top producers including Steely and Clevie. 
Image result for Isaacs said of his drug addiction in 2007 that it was a "debasing weapon"
The hits and bookings came abundantly until his voice could no longer manage. His drug use had a major impact on his voice, causing his teeth to fall out. Isaacs said of his drug addiction in 2007 that it was a "debasing weapon". 

 Gregory continued: 

 "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."

 He still recorded and performed when he could. In 2010, he released his album "Brand New Me" that was nominated for a Grammy. This was also the year he put out his last album. That year would also, unfortunately, be the year Isaacs died of lung cancer, at age 59,  leaving behind a historical legacy.  
Artwork done by Kavionart. 
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