Profile: b. 1955, January 12th Kingston, Jamaica. Johnny Clarke’s big success came in the 70’s after he teamed up with producer
Bunny Lee. Under Lee’s tutelage during 1975-76, Clarke became the most exciting new singer in Jamaica. His repertoire, an astute mix of militant dread tunes and love songs, given a contemporary gloss or style by the Aggrovators studio band, found immediate favour with the discerning dancehall patrons of Jamaica and elsewhere. Lee encouraged him to cover classic Jamaican standards by artists such as
John Holt and
Bob Marley . Following this period, Clarke continued to record for Lee and other producers as diverse as
Errol Thompson and
King Jammy. He continued to lay tunes, in UK, at Ariwa Studios with
Mad Professor in the mid 80s. During the 90s he recorded for Fashion Records,
Jah Shaka in the UK, and the hitmaking production duo of
Steely & Cleevie.