By Louie Grant, Executive Director, Irie Jamboree
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Long Island, USA - Shades away from the midday hour on September 1, 2009, I regrettably learned of the passing of the legendary Wycliffe 'Steely' Johnson of Studio 2000 and Steely & Clevie fame, at the Brookhaven Hospital, here in Long Island, New York.
Johnson had been a patient at the hospital since he arrived in New York earlier this summer for an event for a select group of industry taste-makers who were invited to a listening session for the Lava Connection band, a group which, coincidentally, will be performing at this year's Irie Jamboree on Sunday, September 6. His untimely departure has therefore hit closer to home for some of us here in the New York Tri-state area.
Throughout his accomplished and distinguished career, Steely was very instrumental in hit-making efforts for a slew of top recorders in the reggae/dancehall fraternity, including Shabba Ranks, Coco Tea, Maxi Priest, Gregory Isaacs, Foxy Brown, Tiger, Aswad, JC Lodge, Admiral Bailey, Dawn Penn, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Stitchie and a host of international stars, including British group No Doubt. Steely debuted as a keyboardist with Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion and first played with Clevie at Lee 'Scratch' Perry's Black Ark Studios during the late 1970s.
In 1986, the duo was the house band at the Waterhouse-based King Jammy's Studio, and a year later established the Steely & Clevie label, which has since been one of the foremost producers of the reggae/dancehall recordings coming out of Jamaica.
Steely's long and absolutely hard-fought battle with kidney failure and subsequent pneumonia is evidence of the resilient and unwavering spirit which characterised his approach to life and his musical works in general. This loss will no doubt leave a void in the hearts of reggae/dancehall industry insiders, well-wishers and stakeholders worldwide.
Always a jovial, cheerful, "centre of the party fellow," yet extremely businesslike, serious and a focused soul during his creative compositions, Steely was truly a unique character with a well-intended big heart, which always had the best interest of our beloved music at its core.
The genre has been ably advanced because of people like Steely & Clevie. Steely will be sadly missed, though his creations and teachings will no doubt live on forever. Personally, I will forever fondly remember his kind invitation to me, some years ago now, to listen in on his now classic Street Sweeper riddim, while still a work in progress. I later found out this was most unlike him to extend such an invitation. I recall just how animated and involved he was in this project. It was as if he could feel every string, wind, percussion instrument... all the components of the total package.
I also treasure the many interesting stories he told of his own formative years in the business. This Street Sweeper project virtually introduced and even relaunched several artistes' careers, boasting several chart toppers of the day, including the hit collaboration Hot Gal by a young Sean Paul and Mr Vegas, both of whom are scheduled to perform at this weekend's Irie Jamboree 2009. The two have not performed together on a New York stage for quite some time now. Who knows, maybe they will oblige us this one, in the name of 'Steely' Johnson - à la Beres and Buju, a few years ago.
To his musical partner, Clevie Brownie, the Johnson family, fiends and peers, we have lost a troubadour of the music. Long live Steely.you are sadly missed
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