Jacob Miller

Jacob Miller (4 May 1952 – 23 March 1980) was a Jamaican reggae artist. His first recording session was with the producer Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd in the late 1960s. While pursuing a solo career, he became the lead singer for Inner Circle, a Jamaican roots reggae band. Miller recorded and toured with Inner Circle before he died in a car crash in early 1980 at age 27.

Early life

Born in Mandeville, Jamaica, in 1952, he was the only son of Joan Ashman, a choir singer and pianist. Raised a Rastafari, Miller never knew his father. As a child, he was mainly raised by his great-aunt. His mother recounts him having an especially friendly personality. One day in Half Way Tree (a neighbourhood of Kingston, Jamaica), he threw all his money in the air to give away to friends. According to his mother, he had a strong inclination toward music—often playing rhythms with his hands or drumsticks on pots, pans, and various items. In 1960, at the age of eight, he moved to Kingston, the capital and largest city of Jamaica.

First recordings

The move to Kingston would prove to be a seminal event in his life. Although still very young, Miller began spending much of his spare time hanging around...

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