Reggae giant Bob Andy has died. Reports are that the 75-year-old legend who had been ill for some time passed away in his sleep on March 27, 2020.
Bob Andy (born Keith Anderson) emerged as a solo star in 1966 with the smash hit "I've Got to Go Back Home", a song which has become a much-loved anthem for Jamaicans. He had served his singing and songwriting apprenticeship with the legendary vocal group The Paragons, which he founded with Tyrone (Don) Evans and Howard Barrett, later joined by John Holt. The Paragons had several hits for producer Coxsone Dodd including the Number One "Love At Last", penned by Bob.
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Bob was one of the first [reggae] artists to establish his own publishing company, Andisongs, and served as one of the prime movers in the attempt to establish a Caribbean Copyright Organisation.
For those who don’t know, this other Bob was just as militant, just as uncompromising, just as inspiring as his more widely known contemporary Bob Marley. Bob Andy was a prolific songwriter, an intellectual giant, an astute businessman, an actor, and a singer with a unique sound all his own. He strode across the musical landscape leaving one iconic song after another in his wake.
His music for many was like the sound track to the black power movement coming into the 1970s and a call for self-actualization for descendants of enslaved Africans in the diaspora particularly when he teamed with singer Marcia Griffiths to produce the anthem 'Young, Gifted and Black',” the PNP said in a statement.
“Bob Andy's reach as an artiste spans continents and cultures, but most importantly his gift to humanity beyond his music was his humble spirit and enlarged compassion for and understanding of the struggles of the underprivileged.
Tributes from those who knew him
From the Gentleman Rude Bwoy of Reggae, David Rodigan himself:
People may know the Queen of Reggae music, Marcia Griffiths ( she of “Electric Boogie” fame ), from her time as a member of the I-Threes who provided background vocals for Bob Marley, but long before that she was Bob Andy’s musical (and personal) partner. Bob and Marcia, as the duo was known, recorded their version of Nina Simone’s “Young, Gifted and Black” which rivaled the original in popularity especially in Europe.
This is reggae music
Welcome to the sound
You need to look no further
The universe is found
Reggae music sound
~ Zap Pow
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Bob Andy had many and varied interests and was known to take long sabbaticals from music. Discogs credits him with having produced eight albums. I am not at all familiar with all his music, but I love those I do know. I present a few of my favorites below:
“Check It Out”
Come listen to me
I made a discovery
I wanna share it with you
I'll have you know that it's true
Multinationals... are really criminals
All forms of gambling, there's no way you can win
Open your eyes, it's time you realize
That the rise in the price
Is to make more money for who's got plenty
And the trick of the trade
Is to keep all the hungry bellies empty, oh
“Fire Burning”
Sha la, sha la, sha la, sha la, oh yeah
I was drawn into myself
Observing all this time
From every angle I could see
My people, you're meeting hell
Brothers have turned to crime
So they die from time to time
We'd like to ask you leaders
What have you got in mind
“The Games People Play”
Oh the games people play now
Every night and every day now
Never meaning what they say
Never saying what they mean
“Unchained”
Just take these chains away
And set me free
Remove me out of bondage
And we'll agree
Too long I've been a slave
I don't want to be no more
I'd rather dig my grave
Than be locked behind a door
I want to help myself
Be an independent man
I don't want no one to give
Me a helping hand
Whether you are black Whether you are white I don't give a damn
I just want to be alright
“I’ve Got To Go Back Home”
(Listen for two members of the original Wailers on this one — Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh)
“I Feel Like Jumping”
(Written by Bob Andy and performed by Marcia Griffiths)
“Young, Gifted And Black”
And so, another giant slips off to join that huge orchestra in the Great Beyond. Fare thee well, Mr. Andy. You truly left the world a better place than you found it. A grateful reggae world celebrates your life.