Johnny Ringo

Johnny Ringo (born Bradley Miller, 1961–2005) was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay who rose to prominence from the late 1970s through the early 1990s. Born in Jones Town, Kingston, he began his journey in music while working at a record shop, where he formed a lasting association with fellow deejay Welton Irie. Ringo sharpened his skills on sound systems such as Soul Express and Rippa-Tone before getting his first recording opportunity in the late 1970s with the single “Trouble Never Set Like Rain.” Ringo quickly gained popularity in Jamaica for his bold, slack-lyric style, which resonated strongly with dancehall audiences. Songs like “Two Lesbians” and “Push Lady Push” made him a standout figure, while “Dub and Lef” became an international hit in 1982. He followed this success with other well-known tracks including “Pain a Back,” “Nah Fight Over Woman,” and “Married for the Opportunity.” That same year, he contributed the opening track to Superstar Yellowman Has Arrived With Toyan, further cementing his place in early dancehall history. Alongside recording, Johnny Ringo remained deeply involved in sound system culture, performing with Lees Unlimited and Ray Symbolic’s Hi Fi, touring internationally with artists such as Squiddly Ranking and Welton Irie. He also appeared on early live dancehall albums in the early 1980s and recorded singles in the UK for Fashion Records, including collaborations with Sugar Minott. Ringo continued recording into the early 1990s before his career slowed. He died in Kingston in July 2005 at the age of 44, after battling cocaine addiction, leaving behind a legacy as one of dancehall’s early and most unapologetic voices.