[20.7.05][Andrew Stevens] STARING AT THE RUDE BOY The Godfather (Modfather?) of British ska, Absolute Beginners extra and inspirational associate of The Beat, Secret Affair and The Ruts, Laurel Aitken, has died in Leicester of a heart attack, aged 78: "Born Oliver Stephens, his family moved from Cuba to Jamaica when he was 10. His early singing career saw him entertaining tourists singing calypso for the Jamaican Tourist Board at Kingston Harbour. Aitken's first recording was the 1957 single 'Roll Jordan Roll', followed by 'Boogie Rock'. He moved to London in 1960, where the demand for Jamaican music was growing. As well as appealing to the African and West Indian population in the UK, he also drew in skinheads and mods. Although he semi-retired in the 1970s, basing himself in Leicester, he still performed with a number of ska bands, and retained a cult following". [permalink]
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