After the recent passings of Pluto Shervington, Keith “Foundation” Douglas, Aston “Familyman” Barrett and Peetah Morgan, the reggae fraternity has lost the honourable Mr. B.B. Seaton, probably best known by many reggae enthusiasts as the original leader of the Gaylads. According to Dennis Alcapone, that group didn’t come any bigger. Only the Wailers could match them in the early days.

The versatile Harris Lloyd Seaton aka B.B. Seaon or Bibby, unquestionably a major figure in the history of Jamaican music, has greatly contributed to the development and growth of the island’s music. Born September 3rd 1944, he was a rare combination of talent, a singer with a soulful voice, songwriter, accomplished musician, record producer and arranger.

Growing up listening to US-based groups such as The Platters, The Drifters, The Tempations and The Four Tops, he started singing and writing songs from his high school days at Cornwall College in Jamaica, before his music career started in the early ’60s. In 1961, he teamed up with Delano Stewart and Maurice Roberts to form The Gaylads. They recorded the hit single Lady With The Red Dress On in 1967, which was released on Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label. It kickstarted a series of hit singles and two albums, Soul Beat and Gaylads Sing Folk, followed. After the trio had split up, both B.B. Seaton and Delano Stewart went on the achieve degrees of popularity as solo performers. In 1972, B.B. Seaton recorded his first solo hit Accept My Apology. A stream of hits followed, Lean On Me, Thin Line Between Love And Hate, My Jamaican Girl, Born Free, and No Good Girl to name a few. Furthermore he also recorded a string of fine albums. As an artist, he remained active for a very long time, both performing and recording songs. Read the review of his single Voice Of The People, here .

Throughout his career, B.B. Seaton has written numerous hit songs for other artists, and in his capacity of A & R at Studio One, Tip Top Records and Beverly Records, he auditioned artists like The Heptones, The Melodians, The Kingstonians, Lloyd Parks, Fred Locks and introduced Jackie Mittoo to Coxsone Dodd at Studio One. He served as executive member and vice president for the Jamaica Federation of Musicians. He received the El Suzie Award as best song writer and the Jamaican Cultural Development Award for pioneering Jamaican music as one of Jamaica’s most recognized singers and songwriters. In 2007 he received the Martin’s International Reggae & World Music (Hall of Fame/Lifetime Achievement) Award.

B.B. Seaton passed away at age 79. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. May his soul rest in eternal peace.