Biography
Lloyd Clarke (born 1937) is a Jamaican singer whose career spans the ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras. Known for his warm tenor voice and expressive singing style, Clarke recorded numerous singles during the 1960s and early 1970s. Although he never released a solo album and achieved limited financial success from his music, several of his recordings remain sought after by reggae and ska collectors.
Early life
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Clarke was born in 1937 in Linstead, Saint Catherine, Jamaica. While he was still an infant, his family moved to Trench Town, a neighborhood of Kingston.
He began singing as a child, performing in his local church and at school events. His performances attracted attention from teachers and fellow students, and he subsequently entered Jamaica's competitive talent-show circuit. During the late 1950s, Clarke won first place several times on the popular Opportunity Hour talent program.
Recording career
Clarke made his recording debut in 1960, when producer Duke Reid brought him into the studio for his label Blue Beat. His first recording, "Parapinto Boogie," became a popular sound-system selection and was released in the United Kingdom by Blue Beat. Despite the song's success, Clarke apparently recorded only one song for Reid.
Unlike many Jamaican singers of the period, Clarke did not record with producer Coxsone Dodd, although he worked with numerous other prominent producers. He is also credited as a performer and songwriter on later ska compilations and reggae albums.
Lloyd Clarke's early hits include the singles 'Fool's Day,' 'You're a Cheat,' Subsequently, his voice has appeared on a variety of compilation albums, which feature his more popular singles such as 'Girl Rush,' 'Japanese Girl,' and 'Parapinto Boogie.'
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.