There has been an outpouring of music industry tributes to legendary Jamaican musician Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, who died over the weekend aged 85.
Perry died on August 29 at Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica, prompting the country’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness to praise his “sterling contribution” to music. His first foray into the industry came in the 1950s, when he began working with influential producer Clement Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. He went on to work for Joe Gibbs' Amalgamated Records, before forming his own label, Upsetter, and releasing his first single People Funny Boy in 1968.
He quickly became synonymous with a distinctive new production technique that would shape the sound of reggae and beyond for generations to come. He experimented with sampling and remixing, cementing the sound of what would become dub in his home studio Black Ark. He released a string of successful records with his band, The Upsetters, and was credited as producer on a vast array of singles and albums, including releases by Bob Marley, Junior Murvin, Adrian Sherwood, The Clash and The Beastie Boys.
Perry won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album for Jamaican E.T. in 2003 and was nominated four other times. He also received the Order Of Distinction honour in Jamaica in 2012. His most recent release was this year’s single No Bloody Friends with Ral Ston.
Read a selection of tributes to Perry below.
Dreadfully sad news. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, the mighty Upsetter had passed away, aged 85. https://t.co/5M1Pp30yOM
— Trojan Records (@trojanrecords) August 29, 2021
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry has left us and the world of music has lost one if it’s most enigmatic creators; an amazing, incomparable phenomenon who’s sonic sound waves transformed our lives; the ‘Blackboard Jungle’ album alone stands as a beacon of his genius. pic.twitter.com/WgYZ106UNR
— David Rodigan (@DavidRodigan) August 29, 2021
Was such an honour working with the legend over my career in PR. May they RIP ~ A true pioneer and legend of Raggae. #LeeScratchPerry https://t.co/u95AzcZubS
— linda Coogan Byrne (@lindacooganb) August 29, 2021
RIP The great Lee ‘Scratch’Perry. So much of every sound that now rules cool came from him, Music owes him a great debt. ‘ The Salvador Dali of music’ . A unique genius.
— Crispin Hunt (@crispinhunt) August 29, 2021
?@IvorsAcademy? strength & prayers to his loved ones & fans the world over. https://t.co/XXHclOE8CG
‘Scratch’ forever!
— Phil Alexander (@PhilAlexanderUK) August 29, 2021
Arkology on all night... #leescratchperry #RIP #thedubshepherd #always ???? pic.twitter.com/6vCnx2Lflt
RIP Lee Scratch Perry ??????????
— JinJin Official (@jinjinofficial) August 29, 2021
Rest in peace king Perry,
— The Prodigy (@the_prodigy) August 29, 2021
total rebel , pioneer , and inspiration ,
May ur bass shake systems and souls forever ???????#leescratchperry pic.twitter.com/oUYyhTLgf4
RIP masterful Lee 'Scratch' Perry
— maryanne hobbs (@maryannehobbs) August 29, 2021
'don't be pushed by your problems, be lead by your dreams...'https://t.co/eqtIV8AGf3 pic.twitter.com/nACTcwQ4lN
We lost another phenom friend & pioneer, Mr. Lee "Scratch" Perry /28 Mar 1936 – 29 Aug 2021) was a Jamaican record producer and singer noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style. (Send out ur prayer's to his family & friends) R.I.P. Brother.????Bootsy baby!!!???? pic.twitter.com/rr6QIfkTYo
— Bootsy Collins (@Bootsy_Collins) August 30, 2021
such sad news about the passing of the mighty and absolute visioneer Lee Scratch Perry.. I was so excited to have him on @WfSete in 2020... alongside Sherwood Mala and Jah Shaka... a night of imagined dreams passed.... but the music and source will live forever. RIP
— Gilles Peterson (@gillespeterson) August 29, 2021
???????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ???????? #LeeScratchPerry, ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????? ????????????????… ???????? ???????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????? ???????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? ???????? ???????????????????????????????? ????????????????????. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/lkJ1ZkogMq
— PUBLIC ENEMY (@PublicEnemyFTP) August 30, 2021
We send the most love and respect we can to Lee Perry who passed today, to his family and loved ones and the many he influenced with his pioneering spirit and work. We are truly grateful to have been inspired by and collaborated with this true legend.
— Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) August 29, 2021
- Mike pic.twitter.com/cmdcnI6hHT
RIP the almighty Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, musical genius, free spirit and a regular Glastonbury performer. We shall miss him. pic.twitter.com/OrigX7Rqd0
— Emily Eavis (@emilyeavis) August 30, 2021
Blessed journey into the infinite.
— YASUKE (@flyinglotus) August 29, 2021
RIP Lee “Scratch” Perry pic.twitter.com/CBAoMTnfd0
RIP Lee “Scratch” Perry ???????????? pic.twitter.com/QtPr2XsC5P
— VP Records (@VPRecords) August 29, 2021
RIP LEE PERRY.
— UB40 (@UB40OFFICIAL) August 30, 2021
Another musical legend the great producer and Dub pioneer, Lee “Scratch” Perry also known as The Upsetter has died, on the 29th of August, aged 85.
Starting out his career with Coxsone and Studio One and then Joe Gibbs he eventually set up his own “Upsetter” label pic.twitter.com/Lae1sSaIpR
Photo: Ebet Roberts/Getty
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