Country: Jamaica
John Kenneth Holt OD (11 July 1947 – 19 October 2014) was a Jamaican reggae singer best known for his work with The Paragons and his influential solo career. Early Life Born in Greenwich Farm, Kingston, Jamaica in 1947. His mother, Amy, was a nurse. By age 12, Holt regularly entered talent contests run by Vere Johns, winning 28 contests, some of which were broadcast live on Radio Jamaica. Career The Paragons In 1965, Holt joined The Paragons, a group that included Bob Andy, Garth “Tyrone” Evans, and Junior Menz (later replaced by Howard Barrett). Recorded initially for Studio One (Clement “Coxsone” Dodd) and later for Treasure Isle (Duke Reid). Notable hits with the Paragons included: Ali Baba Tonight I See Your Face Holt-penned The Tide Is High (later covered by Blondie and Atomic Kitten) Wear You to the Ball (also turned into a Deejay version by U-Roy) Solo Career Recorded solo for several producers: Bunny Lee, Harry J, Duke Reid, Alvin Ranglin, and Phil Pratt. Early hits included: Tonight, Oh Girl, Stealing Stealing, Ali Baba, Fancy Make-up, A Love I Can Feel, Let's Build Our Dreams, OK Fred, and Strange Things. By the early 1970s, Holt was one of reggae’s biggest stars. His collaboration with Lee “Scratch” Perry and Harry Mudie brought international success, particularly the 1973 orchestral album Time Is The Master. The 1,000 Volts of Holt album, featuring reggae cover versions of popular hits, produced the UK Top 10 hit “Help Me Make It Through the Night”. Notable 1970s–80s hits: Up Park Camp Police in Helicopter (condemning government crackdowns on marijuana plantations) Fat She Fat Holt’s style, slower and more romantic, was a precursor to the lovers rock subgenre. Later Career and Recognition Performed with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra in the UK; a live album from…
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