Discovered by Reggae legend Bob Marley in the early 1970’s and signed to Virgin Records Delroy Washington is acknowledged by his peers as the vanguard of UK Roots Rock Reggae. He was the UK’s first Reggae artist signed to major record companies. His two Virgin albums ‘ I – Sus ‘ and ‘ Rasta ‘ are landmarks in the Reggae genre. An innovative recording artist and charismatic live performer Delroy has twice won UK Black Music Awards as Best vocalist and for Best Album. He was placed second to Bob Marley in the US Reggae Poll in 1978. In a career spanning over 30 years Delroy Washington has contributed to and supported the careers of many leading UK Black music artists in various ways. Among these artists are included Boney M’s Liz Mitchell, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Ronnie Jordan, David Grant, Soul II Soul’s Caron Wheeler, Phil Fearon and Hi Tension. Apart from his work with Bob Marley & The Wailers Delroy has worked with seminal Reggae artists including Jimmy Cliff, Jackie Mittoo, Alton Ellis, Lee Perry, Dennis Brown, The Heptones, Inner Circle, Third World, Ken Booth, The Pioneers, Gregory Isaacs, U – Roy, Willie Lindo, Burning Spear and The Mighty Diamonds. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones are two of Delroy Washington’s biggest fans. They say that it was Delroy’s classic song ‘’ Jah Wonderful ‘’ that inspired their No.1 hit ‘’ Miss You ‘’. Delroy has a vast knowledge of Reggae and Pop music
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When did you start music and what was your influence?
I began singing in Jamaica as a young child. Growing up though I was influenced by a range of music including Jazz, Blues, R&B, Blue Beat, Ska, Rocksteady, Pop, Folk, Tamla Motown, Stax Soul, Rock and Reggae, Funk,TSOP, Jazz Funk, Jazz Rock. I also like Classical and Classical Rock.Jimmy Cliff was a big influence as well as Bob Andy, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Rita Marley Alton Ellis, Slim Smith, The Heptones, Ken Boothe, Fabian, John Holt and Pat Kelly. They were like my older brothers and sisters.I learned most of my Reggae from The Wailers particularly Family Man and Bob Marley. Bob helped me a lot with my songwriting skills. But I learned from simply living in the environment with them. When I returned to Jamaica I met Freddie McGregor who is a major talented artist. I linked with all the old veterans.
Jackie Mittoo was also a major influence. Rico, Tommy McCook, Bobby Ellis and Vin Gordon also played on my albums. Dennis Brown was my close bredren as well as Michael Rose, Keith Hudson, Third World, Burning Spear, Jacob Miller & Inner Circle, Beres Hammond, Geoffrey Chung, Karl Peterson, Mighty Diamonds, Willie Lindo, Lincoln Thompson, Cedric Myton, Max Romeo, Lee Perry, Cimarrons, Aswad, Steel Pulse, Matumbi are all bredren.
Can you tell to us how and where you and the Wailers met first Time?
I first met Bob Marley in 1971 but I knew Peter Tosh when I was a child in Westmoreland, Jamaica. Bunny was an early mentor.
Can you recall to us your memories about the Burnin' session ?
I was on virtually all of The Wailers sessions perhaps with the exception of '' Rastaman Vibration '' and '' Exodus ''. I was in Jamaica when these were being recorded. From '' Catch A Fire '' sessions at CBS Records I was about and the experience of being on those sessions were phenomenal learning curves.
How was their attitude during this period?
The Wailers environment was '' Tense '' you had to be radically strong to be in it. It was disciplined in many ways. The dietry regime and Rasta Ethos was powerful. The Wailers did not entertain fools or '' weak hearts '' gladly. They always maintained a positive, militant attitude.
Nuff bad words used to be cussed like Bomboclaat, Rassclaat and Bloodclaat etc. The Wailers environment wasn't a '' saintly '' one as some misguided people would like to believe it was ruff. Only the strong survived. Trust me. You had to be tuff. Bob Marley & The Wailers were your original bad bwoys. The Rolling Stones were like '' saints '' by comparison to The Wailers. The Wailers were ever ready for a fight and they would if you rubbed them up the wrong way. You wouldn't mess with Peter Tosh or Bunny. Yet they had their heartical side - like me.
I Heard that you was at the speaksy show in 1973 can you recall your memories about this concert?
The Speakeasy gig with The Wailers was interesting in a numbers of ways and almost didn't happen because Bunny didn't like the club. You can read about that in my book though.
In a book it was wrote that you played with bob for an acoustic session (I think the Mother B bedroom Tape)?
Yes Bob Marley, Family Man and myself would always write together, its a pity I was only a kid at the time and didn't know my music business rights because my name should have been on all of the records they made. But it was a good learning curve. I was always with the Wailers almost up shortly before Bob passed on. I'm not in touch with the remaining members now. But Junior Marvin is one of my FB friends. If fact he was playing on my records before he joined The Wailers. Al Anderson was also a session player on my albums. Bob met Al through me.
Can you send message for reggae fans?
Yes one and two well informed people know of my involvement with Bob Marley before I got my own recording deals. Reggae fans must be careful about seeing certain dreadlocks artists because not every dreadlocks is a Rasta. Nuff a dem man deh a some imposta. But there are some heartical brothers and sisters still. Nuh just falla dreadlocks. A nuh just de dread a dweet. Rastafari.
Thank you Delroy Washington
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