The Blues Busters Explained

The Blues Busters
Background:group_or_band
Genre:Ska, soul, Blue Beat, Reggae
Years Active:1960 - mid-1980s
Label:Blue Beat, Island, Dynamic, Sarge
Past Members:Philip James
Lloyd Campbell

The Blues Busters was a vocal duo from Jamaica formed in 1960, consisting of Philip James (9 March 1941 – 1989) and Lloyd Osbourne Campbell (31 December 1941 – 1992).[1] [2] The Blues Busters was the most consistently popular Jamaican male duo of the early 1960s,[3] and among the Jamaican artists who performed at the 1964 New York World's Fair.[4] They initially worked in cabaret shows to tourists in Kingston and Jamaica's north coast, but got their big break when they were asked to accompany Sam Cooke on his tour of the island in March, 1961.[5] Taking inspiration from Cooke, on returning to the cabaret circuit they emulated the soulful harmonies of his performances and recorded a number of soul and reggae cover versions, having minor hits with "Thinking" and "Privilege". They continued until the mid-1980s, by which time they had released several albums, one of which was a tribute to Cooke.

In the late 1960s the pair moved to New York City. There James reportedly died from asthma at age 47 in 1989, and Campbell from a heart attack at age 50 in 1992.[6] The duo are buried with one grave between them in the Pye River Cemetery in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the city of their births.[7] [8]

In 2015 Campbell and James were posthumously honoured with keys to the City Of Montego Bay by the St. James Parish Council.[9]

Discography

Albums

Compilations:

Singles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Rise Of Duets. jamaica-gleaner.com. 29 August 2017. 4 March 2012.
  2. Larkin, Colin (1998) The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books,, p. 32
  3. Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) The Rough Guide to Reggae, 3rd edn., Rough Guides,, p. 22
  4. Thompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books,, p. 264
  5. Web site: Daily Events 1961. History-of-rock.com.
  6. Web site: The Music Lives On For Singing Duos Long Forgotten. jamaica-gleaner.com. 29 August 2017. 31 July 2016.
  7. Web site: Horace Hines. Merritone family leads clean-up of Blues Busters' graves. jamaicaobserver.com. 29 August 2017. 20 October 2013.
  8. Web site: Unsung: The Dynamic — The Blues Busters!. clintonlindsay.com. 14 July 2012 . 29 August 2017.
  9. Web site: Sharon Earle. St. James Parish Council Honours Blues Busters. jis.gov.jm. Jamaica Information Service. 29 August 2017. 14 October 2015.

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