MR KENNETH ‘KEN’ BOOTHE, OD
VOCALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE, Kenneth George Boothe, OD, has been one of Jamaica’s finest musical ambassadors for six decades and counting.
Of his autobiography, Ken says, “My Iconic Musical Journey’ is my story. I lived it. I walked all those miles to Studio One. I was the one of whom Duke Reid asked Stranger Cole, ‘Da lickle fat boy deh can sing’? A question that was answered the moment I started.”
And integral to that story is Ken’s genesis. The great singer started out as a dancer in the group Jack and Jill, comprising him and his sister, Clover. But, Ken soon transitioned into singing, leading to his legendary career.
His major breakthrough came in 1963 after his neighbour, Stranger Cole, already a recognised singer, arranged an audition at the popular Duke Reid’s studio. They performed the song, “Uno Dos Tres”, and owing to its success, they formed the duo, ‘Stranger & Ken’.
The first track released by them was, ‘Hush Baby’, and they released several more popular singles between 1963 and 1965, including, ‘World’s Fair’, ‘Hush’, and the song which has become one of the anthems in Boothe’s catalogue, ‘Artibella’. Ken’s grand-daughters, Abrella, Gabrella and Sabrella were all named in honour of ‘Artibella’.
He released his first album, Mr. Rock Steady, at the age of 17. This album included numerous hits, including The Girl I Left Behind, When I Fall In Love, I Don’t Want to See You Cry, Home, Home, Home and Puppet On A String. Then in 1971, Ken Boothe stirred the passions of a people with the song Freedom Street, and he has since then been touring the world, flying Jamaica’s flag high.
After 60 years in the music business, Ken Boothe has more songs and albums than his age on the calendar. From rocksteady to reggae to R&B, he has sung them all, gaining international stardom and securing crossover hits that have appealed to reggae fans and mainstream
After 60 years in the music business, Ken Boothe has more songs and albums than his age on the calendar. From rocksteady to reggae to R&B, he has sung them all, gaining international stardom and securing crossover hits that have appealed to reggae fans and mainstream audiences.
audiences.
In 1995, a reworked version of The Train is Coming with Shaggy and a cover by UB40, showcasing his appeal across diverse audiences. His contributions to the soundtrack of the film Money Train underscore his global influence and crossover success.
But, through it all, he remains humble, never forgetting those who gave him a helping hand.
Ken is the first one to admit that this road has not been easy, but from the days when he lived with his parents in the 12-shillings-per-month tenement in Denham Town, he knew that he was being groomed for this musical mission.
“The news media helped to develop the music business and we are very thankful for it. When we started out in the music business, if you get your picture and even a very small write-up in The Gleaner you buy the paper and walk around with it and show it to everybody ... and when yuh hear yuh song play on the radio, there is no greater feeling,” Ken said.
“I am really honoured to accept this award from the RJRGLEANER group ... and this is not the first time. So I must be doing something right for them to be considering me again.” Born March 22, 1948, in Denham Town, Kingston, Boothe is a follower of HIM Haile Selassie, and he credits his mother, a Maroon and one of the first Garveyites, for teaching him the scriptures and for passing on to him her singing talent.
Boothe received the Reggae/ Soca Living Legend Award in March 1999; the Bob Marley Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2000; the Order of Distinction in 2003 for his contribution to Jamaican music by the Jamaican Government and the Reggae Icon Award in 2020 from the Government of Jamaica.