I've just finished reading my good friend John Masouri's fabulous book 'Simmer Down' The Early Wailers' Story.
I lived in London between 64 and 69, just when Jamaican Ska, Rocksteady, and Reggae music was first making its presence known in the UK. I was saying to John recently that the very first graffiti I remember seeing was in the underground, somewhere around West Ken or Barons Court, and it consisted of the single word TOOTS. After that first viewing, the word TOOTS started to appear everywhere; graffiti has 'advanced' a lot since then.
Anyway, this is what all that fuss was about (many years later).
You really are such a cool dude!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved graffiti. Not the property destruction part of it but the art of it. I recently purchased a series of books about the graffiti done in Ireland (by both sides) during The Troubles. A country's history in painted walls.
Those huge Irish end-of-terrace paintings were probably the beginning of an era of graffiti; they were also a bit menacing.
DeleteOh got goosebumps looking and listening to the video. I adore Ska, huge part of my teen years. Thank you for the memories. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteI am a big Ska fan, and am still 'moonstompin'.
DeleteI enjoyed this rythm, but I have never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteOur municipality hires graffiti artists to paint on walls and on a chosen theme, for example, a cycle-pedestrian track was dedicates to Gino Bartali a champion cyclist.
Greetings Maria x
Some municipal graffiti can be superb. My UK town of Brighton has some magnificent examples.
DeleteI have taught countless Jamaicans during my teaching career and have never met one who didn't have a wonderful sense of rhythm.
ReplyDeleteSomething I've never been blessed with; two left feet.
DeleteYou made my day. I saw Toots Hibbert and his Band last June here in my home town. An outstanding performer.
ReplyDeleteHe must be in his mid-60's by now, but still rocking.
DeleteHe is more than seventy. I think, my father's generation.
DeleteYes, I meant mid-70's.
Delete75 in fact! For a different side of Toots, give "Love's Not Going To Let Me Down" a listen...
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOhwKsaSHyI
DeleteJamaican music is always such fun. One can’t help moving to it.
ReplyDeleteIt gets the blood flowing.
DeleteA friend of mine just posted Pressure Drop by them. Two hits of Toots this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe're being pampered! You can't have too much Toots.
DeleteI loved listening to that music, thanks so much for posting it!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!
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