- Dobby Dobson
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Dobby Dobson Born 1942 (age 68–69) Origin Kingston, Jamaica Genres Reggae Occupations Singer, record producer Instruments Vocals Years active 1970s–present Highland "Dobby" Dobson (born 1942, Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican reggae singer and record producer, nicknamed 'The Loving Pauper' after one of his best known songs.[1]
Contents
Biography
Dobson began singing at school, and successfully took part in Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent contest as a member of The Twilights.[2]
He began recording in the ska and rocksteady eras as a member of Chuck and Dobby, and The Deltas, the latter along with Howard Barrett (who later formed The Paragons).[1][2] The group recorded a few tracks for Lindon and Sonia Pottinger, with "Cry a Little Cry" topping the RJR chart,[2] but soon split up, with Dobson continuing to record for Pottinger. He later moved on to work with both Coxsone Dodd and Duke Reid, recording as a member of both The Virtues and The Sheiks,[3] and recorded "Loving Pauper" with Reid, which became his signature tune. Despite his musical success, Dobson kept his job as a salesman and proof-reader for The Jamaican Gleaner. In 1971, he recorded "That Wonderful Sound" for Rupie Edwards, which sold over 40,000 copies in the Caribbean, and was followed up by the equally successful "Endlessly", which was also a minor hit on the UK Singles Chart.[1]
Disappointing album sales led Dobson to move into production, including The Meditations' late 1970s albums Message From The Meditations and Wake Up,[1] as well as early work by Barrington Levy. In 1979, Dobson emigrated to New York, where he worked in real estate, although he would still occasionally visit the recording studio, and performed at both the Reggae Sunsplash and the Reggae Sumfest festivals.[1] He continues to be popular with international fans, and is still releasing albums.
Dobson was featured in a 2009 theatrical 3-D documentary, by Canadian actors/exploitation filmmakers, Tony 'Tex' Watt and Vivita (Frankenpimp, Vixen Highway 2006, Dirty Rock 'n' Roll), called, Dobby Dobson: An Interview With Jamaica's Music Ambassador; with the tagline: "See The Double-D in 3D".
On 6 August 2011, being the 49th anniversary of the country's independence, the Governor-General of Jamaica conferred the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) upon Dobson, for his contribution to reggae music and representation of Jamaican culture.[4]
Albums
- Wonderful Sound (1977) - Success
- Sweet Dreams (1978) - Federal
- Sweet Christmas (197?) - Top Ranking (featuring Ringo)
- History For Lovers (1990) - Shelley
- Through The Years (1991) - Studio One
- At Last (1994) - Angella
- Best of Dobby Dobson (1997) - Super Power
- If I Only Had Time (1997) - Angella
- The Vintage Series (2000) - VP
- Greatest Hits - Sonic Sounds
- Lovers Prayer (2005)
- Hide Under The Bed - Innerbeat
- Those Days are Gone
- He Knows My Heart (2007)
References
- ^ a b c d e Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0242-9.
- ^ a b c Barrow, Steve; Dalton, Peter (1997). Reggae: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. ISBN 1-85828-247-0.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-655-6.
- ^ "Dennis Brown, Millie Small & Dobby Dobson Get National Awards". Dancehall.mobi. http://www.dancehall.mobi/2011/08/06/dennis-brown-millie-small-dobby-dobson-get-national-awards/. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1942 births
- Living people
- People from Kingston, Jamaica
- Jamaican reggae musicians
- Jamaican record producers
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