Tougher Than Tuff

The reggae world mourns the passing of one of reggae’s greats, Winston Morris, who’s known in reggae circles as Tony Tuff. The singer made a name for himself in dancehall during its early stages. He was a member of the African Brother group with the late Lincoln “Sugar” Minott and Derrick “Bubbles” Howard from 1969 to the mid-’70s.

Three Albums

After having pursued other work outside music, he returned as a solo artist in 1978, with the album Tony Tuff Meets Errol Schorder and self-productions including the I’m So Glad single on his own Winston label. He worked with Yabby You on the Tony Tuff album in 1980, and with Minott again on the 1981 album Presenting Mr. Tuff, released on Minott’s Black Roots label. He also was active on several sound systems in the late 1970s and 1980s, including Lees Unlimited and Henry “Junjo” Lawes’ Volcano system. Lawes produced several successful singles by Tuff including Water Pumpee, and Mix Me Down, and also produced his 1983 album Come Fe Mash It. The three albums were simply fanstastic, but what came from him after that was good, but not up to the standard of his first three LPs. 

Brief Reunion

He continued to be active during the 1980s, but was largely absent from the music scene in the 1990s. He returned in 2000, and recorded several albums in the new millennium, including the solid How Long and its companion set How Long Dub, both recorded with Jah Shaka. The year 2004 also brought a brief reunion between Morris and Minott. Bolstered by Tristan Palma and Ken Bob, it led to the release of the African Brothers’ album Mysterious Nature. Tuff also enjoyed an expanded touring schedule in the early part of the decade, doing multiple stops in Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Tony Tuff died on Saturday April 20, 2024. Our sincere condolences to to all of his family and friends. Gone but not forgotten. Rest In Peace.