Reggae Music History - The Real Facts

Reggae legend King Stitt

The Reggae Music genre started back in the early 1960s in a small community in Kingston, Jamaica, known as Trench Town. 

According to a Rastafarian from the area who goes by the name Ras Cardo, Reggae Music started in 1962, in his backyard in Trench Town. This is the same area that Bob Marley sang about in his world-renown Trench Town Rock.

After Reggae became popular, Mento, Ska and Rocksteady became less popular in Jamaica. Reggae was influenced by  black music that originated in the United States of America.

One of the first Recorded Reggae songs is "Long Shot Kick The Bucket", by the Pioneers group with members Gordon, Cook and Robinson. It was released in 1969 on Trojan Record label, produced by Leslie Kong and distributed by Island Music.

Toots and The Maytals along with keyboard legend Jackie Mitto helped with the transition of Rocksteady to Reggae music.

We must also make special mention of these pioneers Desmond Dekker, Bob Andy, U Roy, Gregory Isaacs, King Stitt and Joe Higgs, King Tubby, Prince Jammy, Scientist, Lee Scratch Perry, McWoner, Kiddus I and Junior Byles.

Listen to Jackie Mitto's Drum Song below...