Bob Andy – Unchained (1944 – 2020)
Artist Info
Bob Andy 1944-2020
Career: Vocalist with The Paragons | Solo Artist | Actor
Hailed as one of Jamaica’s greatest songwriters, Bob Andy’s signature works were popularized by Barrington Levy (“Too Experience” and “My Time”), Ken Boothe (“Don’t Want To See You Cry”) and dozens of others, including Marcia Griffiths for whom he wrote many hit songs (“Mark My Words,” “Melody Life,” and “Truly”).
BOB ANDY – UNCHAINED (1944 – 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.
As one of Studio One’s leading lights, he worked closely with Jackie Mittoo on many of the label’s seminal sounds. Besides writing songs for himself which have become pillars of the reggae genre – “Feeling Soul”, “My Time”, “Going Home”, and “Too Experienced”, to name just a few – Bob Andy contributed hits for many of the other artists there.
In 1970, international recognition came when Bob and Marcia Griffiths recorded Nina Simone’s “Young, Gifted and Black”, which sold 1/2 million in the UK and Europe, and still receives frequent airplay today. Bob & Marcia became household names, appearing on Top of the Pops and touring extensively. They had another UK Top Ten single and two albums for Trojan Records.
During the early ’70s Bob Andy continued his solo recordings; “You Don’t Know” and “Life” are two songs from this time which hold a special place in the hearts of his fans. After the duo split in 1974, Marcia became one of Bob Marley’s I-Threes, and Bob’s singles “Fire Burning” and “Check It Out” struck a responsive chord with Jamaicans in the new social consciousness of the Manley era.
Winston Francis, Bob Andy & Dennis Alcapone – Reggae Geel 2012 (Photo: Teacher)
1978 saw the release of Bob’s album “Lots of Love And I”, which amongst many excellent tracks contains the classics “Ghetto Stays In The Mind” and “Feel The Feeling.” Read the review here. In the same year he travelled to Cuba to perform at the 11th World Festival of Youth and Students. Then began a five year absence from the music scene as he became increasingly involved in acting. He took lead roles in several theatre productions, and in 1979 starred in the Jamaican feature film “Children of Babylon”.
In 1983 Bob was welcomed back to the reggae charts with a #1 single, “Honey”, followed by a #1 album, “Friends”. For these and subsequent releases he formed his own label, I-ANKA, in Jamaica and the UK. During 1985 Bob Andy toured California, appeared at the Youth Festival in Moscow, and headlined the first Japanese Reggae Sunsplash. The “Retrospective” album was released in 1986 (1987 on Heartbeat Records in North America) to widespread critical acclaim. It provides a missing historical link between the Studio One masterpiece Bob Andy’s “Songbook” and more recent work
In November 1987, he assumed the post of A&R and Promotions Director for Tuff Gong (the group of companies founded by Bob Marley). In this capacity he represented Tuff Gong Music at many industry functions in Jamaica and abroad. He produced music by such artists as Nadine Sutherland, Ernest Wilson and Tyrone Taylor, as well as new talent. Bob Andy’s stay at Tuff Gong provided him with many opportunities to express his life-long desire for higher standards in Jamaican music, both in its business operations and in the quality of its musical output.
“Freely”, released on I-Anka in late 1988, comprised tracks recorded throughout the mid ’80s. It received rave reviews and spent many months in the reggae charts. Assuming once again his role of Jamaican music pioneer, he spent six months in Australia in 1989, conducting workshops and playing with local musicians. On December 13th 1989, he joined other leading reggae artists at Gdansk Shipyard in Poland in an Anti-Apartheid concert sponsored by Solidarity to celebrate the progress of the world’s liberation movements.
Bob Andy on stage – Reggae Geel 2012 (Photo: Teacher)
The ’90s and the first years of the new millennium have found Bob Andy continuing to give stunning performances in Europe, Japan, Jamaica, Canada and the US. In addition to his solo performances he has taken part in a series of special reunion concerts with Marcia Griffiths.
In early 2005, Bob made his first journey to Africa. He performed at the Bob Marley 60th birthday concert in Addis Ababa to an audience of several hundred thousand, and also sang at the Ethiopian President’s Palace. During a visit to Shashemane in the weeks following, he gave benefit concerts for the 12 Tribes.
The 21st century has seen Bob adding new classics to his repertoire, such as the well-received singles “Zion”, “There Is A God” and “Ska Music (Is Jah Music)”. There have been two successful singles voiced for the Al.Ta.Fa.An label: “Create Our History” with Luciano, and “Almighty Dolla”, as well as a new composition, “Constellation”, written for the Dominican opera singer Marie-Claire Giraud.
Bob Andy’s single “Send Someone for Me (I’m Coming Home)” was recorded with one of Jamaica’s rising young bands, Raging Fyah in 2012. Further collaboration with Willie Lindo in 2013 has resulted in the heartfelt “Love Is Sure”. “Mama Africa”, a co-production with Purple Lion, is Bob’s tribute to the continent of his ancestors.
Jamaica conferred its Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) on Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson in October 2006 for his contributions to the development of reggae music.
For his birthday in October 2011, the Jamaican musical community honoured him with a tribute concert, “Bob Andy Unplugged”. During this event more than 75 leading artists, musicians and arrangers collaborated to perform selections from his catalogue.
It has often been noted that the mark of a great artist is the continued production of notable works throughout his lifetime. Bob Andy’s original recordings are pillars of the reggae genre, living on in literally hundreds of derivative versions over the past five decades.
His legacy won’t be forgotten! Rest in power!
