Rainford Hugh Perry, March 20, 1936, Kendal, Jamaica,
Died: August, 29 2021, Lucea, Jamaica
During the late 1950s, Perry began selling records for Clement Coxsone Dodd’s sound system. He continued to record nearly thirty songs for the label as a result of his sometimes turbulent relationship with Dodd. This relationship led him to perform a variety of significant tasks at Studio One. His departure from the studio was caused by disagreements between him and his partner based on personality and financial conflicts. Amalgamated Records soon became his new home.
Working with Gibbs, Perry continued his recording career, but once again, financial problems led to conflict. The following year, Perry broke away from Gibbs and founded his own label, Upsetter Records. 60,000 copies of his first major single, “People Funny Boy,” an insult directed at Gibbs, were sold in Jamaica alone. It is notable for its innovative use of a sample (a crying baby) and the fast, chugging beat that became synonymous with reggae. As Lee “King” Perry, he also aimed an acrimonious single at Sir Coxsone in 1967 called “Run for Cover”.
He worked with his studio band the Upsetters from 1968 to 1972. In the 1970s, Perry released several recordings on a variety of record labels under his control, and many of his songs were popular in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom, where his instrumental “The Return of Django” was a top five hit. He soon became known for his innovative production techniques as well as his eccentric character.
Perry produced and released the Wailers’ “Mr. Brown” (1970), a track that featured an eerie opening and unusual studio effects. etc