1950s

Studios and the first labels

25 moments · page 2 of 2

1838–2026 · Reading moment 58 of 397

  1. Music

    Possibly, the first ska single was "Little Sheila" by Laurel Aitken, recorded in 1958.

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  2. Joe Higgs and Roy Wilson's "Oh Manny Oh" (1958) produced by former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Edward Seaga, was one of the first records to be pressed in Jamaica and went on to sell 50,000 copies.

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  3. Music

    Nicky Thomas' first hint of success came with the release of 1959 "Run Nigel Run" produced by veteran singer Derrick Harriott and credited to The Chuckles.

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  4. Music

    Byron Lee presenting former Prime Minister Edward Seaga with a copy of the group's 1959 album 'Dumplings', which Seaga produced. Dumplings was Byron Lee's first song which was an instant hit

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  5. Byron Lee is known to have introduced the electric bass guitar to Jamaica in late 1959. The bass guitar soon gained popularity throughout the country and became the standard. The electric bass' louder, clearer, and more 'in your face' sound soon changed the entire sound of Jamaican music entirely, especially after Skatalites bassist Lloyd Brevett took a liking to it.

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