| The legendary Winston Rodney, 2009's winner of the | | | | more singles such as "Travelling" and "Spear Burning", |
| Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album (for "Jah Is | | | | followed by the group's next album, "Man in the Hills" |
| Real"), was born on March 1, 1948 in St. Ann's Bay, | | | | (1976). |
| Jamaica, also the birthplace of two of his greatest | | | | The trio broke up and Rodney went out on his own, |
| influences - Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley and Marcus | | | | self-producing his next album, "Dry and Heavy" (1977), |
| Mosiah Garvey, Jr. | | | | which featured re-workings of "Swell Headed", |
| The story is that Rodney was walking through the hills | | | | "Creation Rebel" and "Free Again". By now Rodney's |
| one day in 1969, bumped into Bob Marley and the two | | | | following had grown, especially in the UK where he |
| chatted about Rodney's interest in music. Marley | | | | made a scorcher of an appearance at London's |
| encouraged him to visit Studio One's Clement | | | | Rainbow Theatre, backed by trumpeter Bobby Ellis |
| "Coxsone" Dodd, who had given Marley his start. | | | | and the UK reggae band, Aswad. Island released an |
| Rodney took the advice and he and his partner, bass | | | | album of the performance called "Live" (1977). |
| singer Rupert Willington, auditioned for Dodd, who | | | | In 1978, Rodney left Island Records and, along with the |
| signed the duo. So, thanks to Bob Marley, Rodney had | | | | Black Disciples and members of Aswad, issued the |
| his foot in the music business' door. | | | | brilliant "Marcus Children" (released in the UK as "Social |
| Rodney chose the name "Burning Spear" for the duo. It | | | | Living"). This was one of his best albums yet, but he |
| was the nickname of Jomo Kenyatta who had been | | | | followed it up in 1980 with the wonderful "Hail H.I.M.". In |
| jailed in Africa by the British government for allegedly | | | | between, Rodney had a leading role in the movie |
| participating in the Mau Mau Rebellion but who went on | | | | "Rockers" in which he sang "Jah No Dead", a highlight |
| to become the first Prime Minister and first President | | | | of the film. |
| of an independent Kenya. | | | | Rodney has continued to release an unparalleled flow |
| Coxsone Dodd had chosen "Door Peep" for the duo's | | | | of great albums, supported by regular appearances at |
| debut single and, shortly thereafter, Burning Spear | | | | Reggae Sunsplash and tours throughout the US and |
| grew into a trio with the addition of Delroy Hinds, | | | | worldwide. No other artist has equaled the strength of |
| brother of Justin Hinds. Rodney chanted his vocals | | | | his body of work. In 1982, "Farover" featured Rodney's |
| while Willington and Hinds provided sweet backing | | | | new backing group, the Burning Band. 1984's |
| vocals. They released several singles for Dodd, | | | | "Resistance" was nominated for a Grammy Award. |
| including "Joe Frazier (He Prayed)" which was a | | | | "People of the World" (1988) sizzled and earned yet |
| smash hit in Jamaica in 1972. Two albums soon | | | | another Grammy nomination, and 1988's "Mistress |
| followed, "Studio One Presents Burning Spear" (1973) | | | | Music" featured former members of Jefferson |
| and "Rocking Time" (1974), but they were only a small | | | | Airplane, blending in a little rock and roll. "Live in Paris: |
| taste of what greatness was to follow! | | | | Zenith 88" garnered another Grammy nomination in |
| Like many famous Jamaican reggae artists, Burning | | | | 1990. |
| Spear is known for his Rastafarian messages. His | | | | Although the Burning Band dissolved, the 1990s saw |
| lyrics are deeply spiritual and full of emotion concerning | | | | some of Rodney's best work despite a monstrous |
| oppression, black unity and religious devotion. But | | | | touring schedule. In fact, he managed to put out |
| Studio One's were not always the best arrangements | | | | excellent albums about every two years! With "Mek |
| of Rodney's songs. In later years, Burning Spear would | | | | We Dweet" (1991) and a new backing band, Rodney |
| revise and re-produce many of his songs, significantly | | | | returned to his powerful sound and added Grammy |
| improving upon them. | | | | nominations for that album as well as for "The World |
| The trio continued to release singles but could not | | | | Should Know" (1994), "Rasta Business" (1996) and |
| seem to repeat their 1972 smashing success, so they | | | | "Appointment with His Majesty" (1998)! |
| moved on from Studio One to producer and Ocho | | | | In spite of all the nominations, it seemed that an actual |
| Rios sound system owner Jack Ruby. The results | | | | win might never materialize until 2000's "Calling |
| were magic, creating the singles "Marcus Garvey" and | | | | Rastafari" won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album |
| "Slavery Days". Now accompanied by the wonderful | | | | and was followed by an American tour. Even the turn |
| studio band, the Black Disciples, more magic resulted in | | | | of a new Century could not slow Rodney down; far |
| the album "Marcus Garvey" (1975), in honor of the | | | | too many messages of peace, universal love, black |
| great St. Ann's-born pan-Africanist and Rastafarian | | | | culture and Rasta beliefs were still inside, awaiting his |
| prophet, which became one of the all-time greatest | | | | powerful and unique lyrical expression. In 2002, Rodney |
| roots albums ever to come from Jamaica! | | | | and his wife, Sonia, formed Burning Spear Records |
| Island Records swooped in to sign Burning Spear but | | | | and we were treated to more Grammy-nominated |
| infuriated Rodney when they remixed his record for a | | | | albums - "Free Man" (2004), "Our Music" (2005), "The |
| UK white audience. This spurred Rodney on to start | | | | Burning Spear Experience" (2008), and the latest "Jah |
| his own label, Spear, and Burning Spear churned out | | | | Is Real" which took home the 2009 Grammy Award! |