Back in the day when Reggae was but a fledgling, an intrepid American artist got to know her; he fell in love, rolled up his sleeves, and set to work to help her spread her wings and fly.
Johnny Nash:
John Lester “Johnny” Nash, Jr. (born August 19, 1940) is an American pop singer- songwriter, best known in the US for his 1972 comeback hit, “I Can See Clearly Now”. He was also one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.
Born John Lester Nash, Jr. in Houston, Texas, he began as a pop singer in the 1950s. He also enjoyed success as an actor early in his career appearing in the screen version of playwright Louis S. Peterson’s Take a Giant Step. Nash won a Silver Sail Award for his performance from the Locarno International Film Festival.
Damn if I can find it now, but I once heard Bunny Wailer giving an interview about the Wailers' first trip to England and the support they got from Johnny Nash. (You'll have to take my word for it and the fact that I don't forget these things. Deal?) According to Bunny, there were many Jamaican Reggae acts burning up the charts at the time, but even though Bob and the group were to be the opening act for him [Nash] (they had previously met in Jamaica), the Wailers had no idea he was the brightest star of them all. American Johnny Nash was the most popular Reggae artist in the United Kingdom. In fact, not only was Johnny Nash one of the first Americans to record and promote reggae, he was also instrumental in getting the kids who’d later become known as Bob Marley and the Wailers, the exposure and support they needed as they started the journey that would lead to them changing the cultural landscape of the whole world. Bunny recalled that not only did JN go all out in opening doors for the teens, he also used his personal funds to see to their welfare.
The musical partnership between Johnny Nash and Bob Marley is one of the more fascinating and overlooked in the history of reggae music. Though by no means an artistic innovator on par with reggae contemporaries like Marley, Prince Buster, Desmond Dekker or Jimmy Cliff, Nash was a musical pioneer and proved a pivotal force behind the mainstream acceptance of reggae music and in promoting Marley and The Wailers
It is my contention that had Johnny Nash (please autocorrect, leave me alone to write my diary. Yes, I wrote “Nash,” damn!), chosen to stick to R&B/Soul, his name would be spoken about with the same reverence as his contemporaries Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and the likes. I mean, the man can really, really sing. I offer as proof of his talent, the fact that even though I love most of his reggae offerings, my two favorites from him are not of that genre at all.
“Let’s Move & Groove Together”
Listen out for my favorite verse and imagine me singing...matter-of-fact, why don’t you sing along with me… (1:25)
We’ll make beautiful music I know And anywhere Anywhere you lead me I’ll go yeah girl They tell me you like good living Well I like to live good too And if you need a little loving baby Well let me tell you I’ve got loving for you So come on and let’s live Yeah girl love let’s love baby Come on mama let’s live Live and love together...
My second favorite, “Mr. Sea”
Let’s enjoy some of his reggae hits:
“Hold Me Tight”
“Cupid”
“Stir It Up”
For his hard work and selflessness, Johnny Nash deserves the credit, the recognition, the respect, and the love of a grateful reggae nation. Thank you, Mr. Nash.
Do you have a favorite Johnny Nash song?
