John Holt
John Kenneth Holt CD (11 July 1947 – 19 October 2014) was a Jamaican reggae singer who first found fame as a member of The Paragons, before establishing himself as a solo artist.
Early life
Holt was born in the Greenwich Farm area of Kingston in 1947. His mother Amy was a nurse. By the age of 12, he was a regular entrant in talent contests run at Jamaican theatres by Vere Johns, winning 28 contests, some broadcast live on Radio Jamaica.
Career and recognition
He recorded his first single in 1963 with "Forever I'll Stay"/"I Cried a Tear" for record producer Leslie Kong, and also recorded a duet with Alton Ellis, "Rum Bumper", for producer Vincent "Randy" Chin.
In 1965 Holt joined Bob Andy, Garth "Tyrone" Evans, and Junior Menz in their group the Binders; Menz departed to be replaced by Howard Barrett and they changed their name to the Paragons. They initially recorded for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One before cutting a succession of singles for Duke Reid at his Treasure Isle Studio in the rocksteady era of 1966–1968; They enjoyed a string of hits, including "Ali Baba", "Tonight", "I See Your Face", and the Holt-penned "The Tide Is High" (later made famous by Blondie...
Listen to John Holt
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Albums
King of Lovers Rock
Born Free
New Horizon
The Tide Is High
Peacemaker
Slow Dancing
Children Of The World
Here I Come Again
Why I Care
Wild Fire
Vibes
Stealing, Stealing
For Lovers and Dancers
Police in Helicopter
Sweetie Come Brush Me
Just the Two of Us
A1 Disco Showcase
My Desire
Introspective
Peace In The Sun
Let It Go On
In Demand
Holt Goes Disco
The Impressable John Holt Disco Mix
Up Park Camp
World of Love
Roots of Holt
2000 Volts of Holt
Before the Next Tear Drop
Super Star
Time Is The Master
Dusty Roads
Don't Break Your Promise
1000 Volts of Holt
The Further You Look
The Fabulous John Holt
Like a Bolt
Pledging My Love
OK Fred
Holt
Still In Chains
The Paragons & Friends
A Love I Can Feel
Most played
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Recently added
New tracks from recent catalogue imports.
- 1 My number one
John Holt · Mento
- 2 Strange Things
John Holt · Mento
- 3 Morning Of My Life
John Holt · Mento
- 4 I Want A Love I Can Feel
John Holt · Mento
- 5 Stick By Me
John Holt · Mento
- 6 Mr T.V. Man
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 7 Youths Pon the Corner
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 8 I Need a Vegi
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 9
- 10 It May Sound Silly
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 11 Love Is Gone
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 12 Everybody Knows
John Holt · Rocksteady
Riddims John Holt voiced
A Love I Can Feel Riddim
15 versions · 1977
Get In The Groove Riddim
11 versions · 1982 · Music CLub
Tonight Riddim
11 versions · 1970
Storm Riddim
11 versions · 1982
Ali Baba Riddim
6 versions · 1973
Man Next Door Riddim
5 versions · 1971
Queen Majesty Riddim
4 versions · 1978 · VP Records
Stealing Riddim
4 versions · 1978
Songs on JamaicansMusic
271 playable tracks in the catalog.
- 1 Not So Close
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 2 I'll Light Your Fire
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 3 You'd Better Take Time
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 4 Stick By Me
John Holt · Mento
- 5 Dusty Roads
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 6 I Want A Love I Can Feel
John Holt · Mento
- 7 Morning Of My Life
John Holt · Mento
- 8 Strange Things
John Holt · Mento
- 9 My number one
John Holt · Mento
- 10 These Old Memories
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 11 In the Middle of the Night
John Holt · Rocksteady
- 12
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Vinyl & Discography — John Holt
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Stories about John Holt from the JamaicansMusic archive, oldest first · 2014–2023
2014
MusicRest In Power John Holt
A musical hero that etched his name in the history books of Jamaica's unmatched musical legacy...a vocal genius that poured his heart out on every single he released...a poet whose lyrical content will stand firm in our hearts and echo in our ears...forever!
MusicFarewell, John...
On Sunday night into yesterday, Monday October 20th, the music industry was again sent into mourning as the news of yet another icon's passing circulated. On Sunday, singer John Holt passed away at the Wellington Hospital, St John's Wood, London. He was 69 years old.
2023
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