With his silky smooth voice and demeanor, Gregory Isaacs, 59, was known for his romantic singing style which helped him popularize the Reggae subgenre known as Lover’s Rock. With a seductive baritone voice, that garnered him the monicker, “The Lonely Lover”, he often pleaded for love or begged a lover for understanding and complimented his vocal style with his fedora hats and sports jackets, which became a signature look for Mr. Isaacs as he conveyed a combination of prowess and vulnerability.
Unlike Bob Marley and Burning Spear, whose songs reflected world politics and the Rastafarian culture, Mr. Isaacs was best known for his love songs, most of which were written by him. Several of his hits included “Night Nurse”, “Tune In”, “My Number One”, “Love Overdue”, “Rumours” and “The Border”.
Gregory Isaacs ranks as one of the true superstars of Reggae music, with a career spanning over four decades and legions of loyal fans worldwide. Born on July 15th, 1951, Gregory Anthony Isaacs grew up in the impoverished Denham Town neighborhood of Kingston. In his teens, Isaacs became an established veteran of the talent contests that regularly took place in Jamaica and in 1968, he made his recording debut with a duet with Winston Sinclair, “Another Heartache”, which was produced by another Jamaican music legend Byron Lee, who sadly has also passed away. His first records of notice were on Rupie Edwards’ Success label. But, not one to have his creativity stifled and mis-managed, Isaacs was started his own African Museum label and shop in Kingston in 1973 with singer Errol Dunkley to gain artistic freedom and financial control of his own work.
In order to finance his label, he continued to work with other producers such as Winton “Niney The Observer” Holness, Gussie Clark, Lloyd Campbell, and Alvin “GG” Ranglin for the rest of the 70′s. His early recordings were responsible for the development of his singing style, love ballads with his cool relaxed nasal style, as well as his ease with songs about social protest. He soon had a massive hit with “My Only Lover”, credited as the first Lover’s Rock record ever made. He then recorded string of hits in the three years that followed, ranging from ballads to roots reggae, including “All I Have Is Love”, “Lonely Soldier”, “Black a Kill Black”, “Extra Classic”, and his cover version of Dobby Dobson’s “Loving Pauper”.
Gregory Isaacs – My Only Lover
Gregory Isaacs – Extra Classic
By the late 1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, and only challenged by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs again teamed up with Alvin Ranglin, recording a string of hits including “Border” and “Number One” for Ranglin’s GG’s label. Mr. Isaacs appeared in the 1978 subtitled Jamaican film “Rockers,” a plotless, episodic comedy sometimes described as the “A Hard Days Night” of Reggae Music. He played a local locksmith haggling with two tourists over the price of unlocking their car and is later seen performing in a night club.
Gregory Isaacs – Border
Gregory Isaacs – Number One
Gregory Isaacs – Heartache
By 1980, Gregory had become one of the top stars in the reggae world, touring the UK and US extensively. He signed with Virgin Records’ Frontline label and gained a considerable name for himself outside the Reggae world. He continued recording singles on his African Museum label in Jamaica – which were ultimately gathered for the Virgin releases. His preeminence during this period was confirmed by the nickname of “Cool Ruler,” given to him by critics and fans after the title of one his albums. With the success of his release “Night Nurse” (1982), which he co-wrote, Mr. Isaacs was poised for international stardom. “Night Nurse,” with its sly innuendo – “I don’t wanna see no doc. I need attendance from my nurse around the clock. There’s no prescription for me, she’s my only remedy” – was a massive club hit for Isaacs in 1982.
Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse
By the mid 80′s, after a short stint in prison, he began recording for scores for different producers, which included some of his best material for King Jammys, Bobby Digital, and Steely and Clevie. His 1988 landmark album, “Red Rose for Gregory,” and the single “Rumors” brought him to worldwide prominence again. Over the years, Gregory Isaacs worked hard to keep his legendary status and reputation in the reggae business as second to none. Artists Only! released “Gregory Isaacs – Live at Maritime Hall” in conjunction with 2B1 label the fall of 1998 to a great response. His most recent album, “Brand New Me,” was released in 2008.
Gregory Isaacs – Rumours
Gregory Isaacs was one of the most unique and intelligent people to have graced Jamaica’s Music fraternity and his uncanny awareness of the world around him was remarkable. In referring to his reported addiction to crack cocaine, which had caused the singer to lose his teeth – it also had a major impact on his voice, he was famously quoted as saying once, “It was the greatest college ever, but the most expensive fee ever paid – the Cocaine High School. I learnt everything – and now I’ve put it on the side.”
He was one of the most exquisite vocalists to have graced Reggae and his lustful songs are not simple seductions or sexual boasts but sensuous daydreams that invites the listener along for a journey. In his lengthy career, he has released more than 50 albums and his trademark voice still appeal to men and women in the Reggae music field to this day and makes him one of Reggae’s greatest legends. Hopefully his catalog of music offers the next generation an opportunity to get a real glimpse into the person and genius he was and still is. His spirit will live on in his music, keeping his memory alive.
Below you will find a link (it’s also downloadable) to a tribute mix for the “Cool Ruler” :
