| Joe White | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | William Joseph White |
| Born | September 04, 1941 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | September 26, 2023 (aged 82) London, England |
| Labels | Blue Cat Records, Coxsone Records, Doctor Bird, Dutchess, Island, King's, Magnet, R&B, Roosevelt, Success, Sugar, TrenchTown, Treasure Isle, Trojan, WIRL |
| Formerly of | Joe White and Chuck, Joe & Della, Joe White & Irene, the trio Joe White Glen & Trevor |
Joe White was a U.K.-based Jamaican singer and musician who had several hits when he was in his home country. He was part of the duos, Joe White and Chuck, Joe & Della, Joe White & Irene, the trio Joe White Glen & Trevor, and other ensembles.
Background
Joe White was born William Joseph White in Kingston, Jamaica, on 4 September 1941. He was raised in a single-parent household by his mother Veronica Topey. He attended the Alpha Boys’ School at South Camp Road in Kingston. He acquired a trade in tailoring.
In addition to being a vocalist, Joe White played the piano and melodica. Recording at Studio One, he had hits such as "My Guiding Star". Other hits possibly recorded in different venues included "My Love for You" and "So Close".
Recording under the direction of Sonia Pottinger, as part of the duo Joe White and Chuck, he scored with the ballad "Every Night" in 1966, which caught on instantly as a hit and stayed in the Jamaican charts for several months. The song was actually recorded in one take.
During his time, he had recorded dozens of singles for a plethora of record labels.
Career
1960s
In 1966, the duo Joe and Della recorded the song "So Close" which was backed with "Eighth Games" by the Baba Brooks Band and released on Doctor Bird DB 1043. Also the same year, the duo Joe White And Chuck had the "One Nation" single released on Sonia Pottinger's Gay Feet label (cat# S 24). It was backed with "Musical Sermon" by Baba Brooks and His Recording Band. The song was described as positive and hopeful and stresses the unity of one person. It was also described as being similar to Derrick Morgan's "Forward March".
In 1968, his recording "I'm So Proud" was released in Jamaica on the Flame label.
According to the 16 August 1969 issue of Billboard, Sugar Records was a new record label that was going to exploit the music of West Indian artists. The recordings would be overseen by production director Charles Ross. Three artists had their work released that month: Claude Sang, Joe White, and Frenz. The songs that White recorded for his single were "Yesterday" and "I Am Free".
1970s - 2000s
In 1975, he recorded his Since The Other Day album that was released on Magnet MGT 006. It was arranged and produced by Rupie Edwards His Jah Jah dub album was also released that year.
In 1977, he released his version of "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" on Wadada WAD-301. Also the same year, his Love for Every Family album was released on TrenchTown TRELP 002.
Death
Joe White died on 26 September 2023 in Hackney, East London.
References
- The Gleaner, December 20, 2023 - UK-based multi-genre Jamaican musician has died
- Reggae Vibes - REGGAE GOT SOUL | THE ORIGINALS PART THIRTEEN – A SPECIAL JOE WHITE – I’M SO PROUD
- The Gleaner, December 20, 2023 - UK-based multi-genre Jamaican musician has died
- The Guardian, 8 Nov 2010 - Sonia Pottinger obituary
Hitmaking Jamaican record producer - The Independent, Wednesday 05 January 2011 - News Obituaries Sonia Pottinger: Record label owner and producer who thrived in the combative Jamaican music business
- Discogs - Discography, Releases
- Reggae Label Art Archives - Doctor Bird UK 7″, DB 1043 # Joe & Della – So Close / Baba Brooks Band – Eighth Games (Doctor Bird) 1966 UK 7”
- 45Cat - Joe White And Chuck - Discography, A: One Nation
- Heather Augustyn - -Author of books about ska-, Joe White and Chuck Joseph’s “One Nation” released in 1966 for Sonia Pottinger on her Gay Feet label
- Ska The Rhythm of Liberation, By Heather Augustyn · 2013 - ISBN 9780810884502 - DOWNTOWN MUSIC
- The Dynamics of Interconnections in Popular Culture(s), Editor: Ray B. Browne (2014) - ISBN 9781443858649 - Page 77 'THEY GOT TO GO': SKA VERSUS AMERICA SIMON PHILO
- Reggae Vibes - REGGAE GOT SOUL | THE ORIGINALS PART THIRTEEN – A SPECIAL JOE WHITE – I’M SO PROUD
- Billboard, August 16, 1969 - Page 73 International News Reports, Sugar to Tap West Indies
- Popsike - joe white. i am free. yesterday.
- Kingston Roots, 30 August 2018 - Joe White - Since The Other Day
- Reggae Ocean - JOE WHITE, Title, Jah Jah dub
- Seventies Sevens - WADADA
- Popsike - ? rare JOE WHITE (similar sound to Joe Higgs) LP 'Love For Every Family' EX+
- Reggae Ocean - JOE WHITE, Title, Love for every family
- The Gleaner, December 20, 2023 - UK-based multi-genre Jamaican musician has died
External links
- Discogs - Joe White