Individual results

Interviewee: Cedric Bogle - see PA2277/4/2 for full transcript.

Cedric Bogle (known as Daddy B). Was the lead singer of the Megadons. Juke Box just been introduced in Jamaica. Palmer Records used to distribute records to Black Community all over England. Brothers used to distribute records in Coventry. Sound system. Used to go all over London and Bristol to get tunes. 1978/79, with a group of friends just went and bought some musical instruments. First band was called 'Prophecy'. Used to rehearse for about six hours. Did not know anything at the moment. Band broke up after six months. When the 'Selector ' and 'Specials' came, it inspired the rest of the people. Music was soul influence, rock, jazz etc. A multicultural band. Bottom was more reggae. the singer was a Jamaican who was influenced by rock. Good reception. Born in St Thomas Parish. Earliest Ska music memory. Being 9 years old in Jamaica- you can do everything, cook, wash etc. No restrictions. Baptist Church, Methodist. Believes in God. Does not believe in religion. Abraham is the grandfather of all the three faiths. Different religions fight one another. Jamaica is the only country which brought rock'n'roll from rhythm and blues. Jamaican music is the root of many music, Hip Hop. Reggae music sends message that fits with the rhythm. Going through a process of learning the English ways. Even if you speak English, mannerisms are different from Jamaica. Seen Bob Marley twice in England, in Birmingham and near Birmingham. Knows some of his audience. 80% European whites attending Bob Marley gigs in the 1970s. Likes Roots music. Spirit of the music touches my soul. Jamaica did not take on Bob until he died. Been to a few countries. Morocco, if you say you are Jamaican, they worship you. People respect us because of what people like Marcus Garvey did. Brother Ben used to sell records. All the youth used to come round and buy their records. Became residents at the Holyhead Youth Centre. Rasta revival in England, all over in the 1970s. It was a good thing because it saved a lot of problems in England. Most youth were militant, but not militant to go and cause problem in the streets. Peace and Love message, made more youth more conscious about their history. Influenced by Burning Spear. Selassie (representative of God on earth). He used to go and pray. Line of David comes straight. Every nation have own story. Caribbean have story for about six hundred years only. People loved us. Duke Reed, Brown, Spinner. Knows most of the 'Selectors', the 'Specials', met loads of the reggae artists. Met Rita and Ziggy Marley. Ray King respect due because he is the one that even before the 'Specials' he had already made it. He gave us equipment when we started our own band. Ray King has not been recognised for his contributions. Encouraged people. Always there for musicians. Older people proud to see their children up there. Music in Coventry gone from number one to non-existent. No live reggae show in years. Politics- if people don't like them they tend to leave them on the shelf. Urban music lost spiritual message. Dancehall music in Jamaica same, like English urban music. Respect 'UB40'. Neville Staples's music good. Youth trying to adopt the American-Jamaican vibe in England. Produced a few artists in Jamaica.