Bob Andy

Bob Andy (born Keith Anderson [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difyxqq5ldfe~T1 Allmusic.com biography by Craig Harris] ] , 1944) is a Jamaican vocalist and songwriter. He is widely regarded as one of reggae's most influential songwriters. [ [http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/andy_bob/bio.jhtml Biography af VH1.com] ]

Career

Bob Andy was one of the founding members of The Paragons, along with Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett. His first solo hit in 1966, "I've Got to Go Back Home," was followed by "Desperate Lover," "Feeling Soul", "Unchained," and "Too Experienced", amongst others. He also composed songs for other artists, including "I Don't Want to See You Cry" for Ken Boothe, and "Feel Like Jumping," "Truly," and "Melody Life" for Marcia Griffiths. His Studio One album, "Songbook" is one of the finest rocksteady albums.Fact|date=July 2007

His late 1960s hits, including "Going Home," "Unchained," "Feeling Soul," "My Time," "The Ghetto Stays in the Mind," and "Feel the Feeling," and his 1992 hit, "Fire Burning," have become reggae standards and have been covered numerous times.

In the early 1970s, he recorded with Marcia Griffiths as Bob and Marcia, under producer Harry J's tutelage. These included the UK hits "Young, Gifted and Black" and "Pied Piper". cite book
first= David
last= Roberts
year= 2006
title= British Hit Singles & Albums
edition= 19th
publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
location= London
pages= p. 67
id= ISBN 1-904994-10-5] In 1978, Andy took a five-year long sabbatical from the music industry to concentrate on his career as an actor. Andy subsequently starred in the films, "Children of Babylon" in 1980, [ [http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0080525/fullcredits#cast IMDb database (1)] ] and "The Mighty Quinn" (1989). [ [http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm0029315/ IMDb database (2)] ]

Andy's 1988 album "Freely", recorded in London and Jamaica, was re-issued in 1997. The same year, he released an all-new album, "Hangin' Tough", produced by Willie Lindo.

In early 2005, Andy made his first journey to Africa. He performed at the Bob Marley 60th birthday concert in Addis Ababa to an audience of several hundred thousand, and also sang at the Ethiopian President’s Palace. During a visit to Shashemane in the weeks following, he gave benefit concerts for the 12 Tribes. [http://www.bobandy.com/biography.htm Bobandy.com/biography] ]

Jamaica conferred its Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) on Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson in October 2006 for his contributions to the development of reggae music.

Michael Prophet cites Andy as his main influence as a singer.cite web |url=http://www.rebelbase.be/index.php?page=54&interview_column=46 |title=Interview with Michael Prophet |accessdaymonth=05 March |accessyear=2008 |author=Peter I |year=2005 |month=February |work=Rebel Base |publisher= |quote= ]

Discography

Albums

*"Songbook" (1970)
*"Really Together" (Bob and Marcia)
*"Sweet Memories" (Bob and Marcia)
*"Lots of Love and I" (1978)
*"Friends" (1983)
*"Freely" (1988)
*"Hanging Tough" (1997)
*"Reggae Land" (2006)

ongwriting credits

*"Check It Out" - Tony Rebel
*"Feel Like Jumping" - Marcia Griffiths
*"Fire Burning" - Tony Rebel, Marcia Griffiths
*"Half Idiot" - Cutty Ranks
*"I've Got to Go Back Home" - Freddie McGregor
*"Melody Life" - Steely & Clevie
*"My Time" - Gregory Isaacs, Barrington Levy, Ocean Colour Scene
*"Peace of Mind" - Harry J & His Friends
*"Really Together" - Jeb Loy Nichols
*"The Right Track" - Mickey General
*"Too Expereinced" - The Bonedaddys, Ms. Dynamite
*"Unchained" - Sanchez [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difyxqq5ldfe~T32 Allmusic.com discography] ]

ee also

*List of reggae musicians
*List of roots reggae artists
*Trojan Records
*List of stage names

References

External links

* [http://www.bobandy.com "Bob Andy's website"]
* [http://www.readexpress.com/read_freeride/2007/08/the_paragon_bob_andy.php "The Paragon: Bob Andy"] , Washington Post Express, August 2, 2007
* [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20060812T210000-0500_111062_OBS_BOB_ANDY__ONE_OF_REGGAE_S_LAST_GREAT_SOLDIERS__.asp "Bob Andy: One of Reggae's last great soldiers"] , Jamaica Observer, August 13, 2006
* [http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060815/ent/ent3.html "Icon Bob Andy - A songwriter of distinction"] Jamaica Gleaner, August 15, 2006
* [http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20021117T210000-0500_35357_OBS_BOB_ANDY_TAKES_COXSONE_TO_TASK.asp "Bob Andy takes Coxsone to task"] Jamaica Observer, November 18, 2002