lee ‘scratch’ perry
born in 1936 in Kendal, Jamaica.
Did you know this about LEE 'SCRATCH' PERRY?
He is considered a pioneer of dub and a well-known producer, singer, and songwriter.
He is undoubtedly one of the most colorful characters in Reggae and Dub history.
He started his musical career as a humble record seller for Clement Coxsone Dodd's Sound System in Kingston. He then served as an apprentice at Dodd'sStudio One' where he produced other artists and recorded his own material.
His first recording, 'The Chicken Scratch,' earned him his long-enduring nickname.
In the late 1960's he found success with the instrumental 'I am the Upsetter' and consequently named both his record label and band (The Upsetters) after it. He still often refers to himself as 'The Upsetter.'
Perry is credited with playing a big part in The Wailer's early success and later helping Bob Marley launch his solo career after Marley became frustrated with other producers' limitations.
A life-long Rastafarian, he was present when Emperor Haile Selassie visited Jamaica in 1966.
In 1974 he built Black Ark studio on the grounds of his home in Kingston. Here, he began experimenting with the production techniques that would make him one of the go-to producers of that time. He also formed his 'Black Art' label at this time.
He frequently went beyond the standard 'dub' technique of taking instrumental tracks apart and putting them back together. As well as his basic 4-track recorders, he also used drum machines when they were still in their infancy and created sound effects from whatever everyday objects he thought appropriate.
Blessing his finished recordings by blowing marijuana smoke over them was one of his many unconventional habits. His recording sessions were often drink and drug-fuelled events.
As well as being a prolific Reggae producer, Perry was also attracted to the punk scene, which appealed to his rebellious tendencies. He worked as a producer for The Clash in London after they covered 'Police and Thieves' - a song he produced with the artist Junior Murvin.
Robert Palmer and Paul McCartney were just some of the other British artists that were also keen to work with him. Perry even credits himself with getting McCartney off a drug charge in Japan by writing personally to the Japanese government.
After separating from his first wife and suffering from stress and depression, his studio output took a downturn in the late seventies, and Black Ark burnt to the ground in 1980. Perry still claims that he set fire to it himself.
After moving to Switzerland in the 1980s and giving up drink and drugs in the 1990s, his career enjoyed a renaissance. Well-known artists, including the Beastie Boys, began to seek him out again to produce their music.
He won a Grammy for his 2002 album 'Jamaican E.T' and most recently collaborated with hip hop producer Mr. Green on the record Super Ape vs. Open Door.