PROMOTING REGGAE NIGHTS
The early days were very hard, many Promoters failed to identify the finacial rewards associated with reggae music.
The end of 1968 ws the Birth of a progressive marketing from Island music with the launch of the TROJAN label.
previously music was being distributed on a number of smaller record labels, and the sound of the West Indies was mainly heard at Blues Parties, or in segregatted venues.
Regretably the UK promoters were very worried about the young west indian boys bringing trouble to their venues and many were banned from entering.
I myself ws suprised by the attitude, on many occassons having my fee witheld for playing Blue Beat, Rocksteady and Ska music amid my sets. On two occaisons taken out back and given a good slap.
I felt that I was going to loose the opprtunity to make a difference. I therefore started to promote myself. Originally promoting nights as The Trojan Record Company Road Show, with the help of Island(Trojan Records) supplying the walk on appearance of their recording artists. A good working relationship started and made many of the artist a part of a live act and myself. This I did for over 200 shows around the country between 1969-1973 apearing with so many of the Reggae greats.
I first met Bob Marley way back when I was only 15 during a visit to Jamaica when he appeared at a relatives 40th birthday party.
Some years later I met up with him when he accompanied Jimmy Cliff. I was able to relate to Bob and he was most interested in Football, and we enjoyed a number of visits to Tottenham Hotspurs.
I toured with him on many of his uk appearances and enjoyed his growth in popularity.
During 2017 I meet up with David Hutton a promoter I worked with from 1967 - 1972 whom agreed my move into the west indian music wasn't really what he wanted, but made a fortune out of the music genre in the following years.
I also have to thank:
California Ballroom for giving me a free hand on music content of my Friday and Saturday shows, accepting the Reggae artists promotion nights and booking so many Reggae nights during the early part of 1968-1973
MARY LYNN for so many introductions to the reggae artists in the early days.
RENNIE AND BENNIE For the backing and assistance in letting me have their entire record catalogue which really made a difference.
Trojan Records/ B&C records for thir on going support with prerelease tunes.
REGGAE REGGAE REGGAE
2018 ONWARDS, THE GENRE CONTINUES TO GROW, CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF TROJAN RECORDS
During an interview with Lawrence Honeysett of BMG (Trojan Record Label)
I mentioned that being there at the beginning of the label, I remember how hard it was for it to succeed because of the economic climate. So many releases in small numbers has made so many of the early release on theeir original labels to become so collectable.
The Trojan Record company hardback book is well worth a read, as this gives great insght to this music GIANT,.
Enjoy the Vibe, Carl Edwardes