Bitty McLean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bitty McLean
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Bitty MacLean at Ruhr Reggae Summer 2014
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Delroy Easton McLean |
| Born | 8 August 1972 Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Reggae, lovers rock, ragga |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Brilliant Records, Kuff Records, Peckings Records, TAXI, TABOU1 |
| Associated acts | UB40, Sly and Robbie |
Delroy Easton "Bitty" McLean was born on August 8, 1972. He is a British singer known for his reggae, lovers' rock, and ragga music. Bitty McLean became famous in the mid-1990s. He had three songs reach the Top 10 in the UK. His first big hit was "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)".
Contents
Bitty McLean's Musical Journey
Early Life and Start in Music
Delroy McLean was the youngest of six children. His family nicknamed him "Bitty" because he was small. As a teenager, he sang with local sound systems. These were groups that played music loudly at parties.
After studying sound engineering in college, Bitty McLean started working with the famous band UB40. He was their engineer and producer. Sometimes, he even sang with the band.
Rising to Fame
Bitty McLean became very popular in the mid-1990s. He was known for singing cover songs. These are new versions of songs originally sung by other artists.
One of his most famous covers was "Dedicated to the One I Love" by The Shirelles. This song reached number 6 in the UK charts. His biggest hit was "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)". This song was originally by Fats Domino. Bitty McLean's version reached number 2 in the UK. It also topped the music charts in New Zealand and the Netherlands in 1993.
Bitty McLean also went on tour with big bands. He supported UB40, Wet Wet Wet, and Simply Red on their UK tours.
Later Albums and Collaborations
In 2004, Bitty McLean released an album called On Bond Street KGN. JA.. For this album, he sang new lyrics over old rocksteady music. These old songs were produced by Tommy McCook and Duke Reid.
He recorded another album in 2007 called Movin' On. He worked with the famous Jamaican duo Sly and Robbie on this album. They recorded it in Kingston, Jamaica. After the album came out, McLean and Sly & Robbie toured Japan, Europe, and Morocco.
In 2013, Bitty McLean released another album with Sly & Robbie. It was called The Taxi Sessions. He also released a live DVD from a concert in Paris. In the same year, he joined The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra. He sang on their cover of "Fu Man Chu" by Desmond Dekker. He even performed this song with them on the TV show Later... with Jools Holland.
In 2018, Bitty McLean released his album Love Restart. This album was also produced with Sly & Robbie. It was mastered at the famous Abbey Road studios. He toured Europe with Sly & Robbie to promote this album.
After Robbie Shakespeare passed away in 2021, Bitty McLean decided to make a tribute album. This album will feature songs over music created by Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. It is expected to be released in 2022.
Family Life
Bitty McLean is related to some other talented people. He is the uncle of footballer Aaron McLean. He is also the uncle of singer Anthony, who is known as "McLean".
Discography
Albums
- Just to Let You Know... (1994) – UK No. 19
- Natural High (1995) – UK No. 81
- Soul to Soul (2003)
- On Bond Street KGN. JA. (2005)
- Made in Jamaica (2007)
- Movin On (2009)
- The Taxi Sessions (2013)
- Love Restart (2018)
Singles
- "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)" (1993) – UK No. 2, AUS No. 83
- "Pass It On" (1993) – UK No. 35
- "Here I Stand" (1994) – UK No. 10
- "Dedicated to the One I Love" (1994) – UK No. 6
- "What Goes Around" (1994) – UK No. 36
- "Over the River" (1995) – UK No. 27
- "We've Only Just Begun" (1995) – UK No. 23
- "Nothing Can Change This Love" (1995) – UK No. 55
- "Natural High" (1996) – UK No. 63
- "She's Alright" (1996) – UK No. 53
- "Walk Away from Love" (2004)
- "The Real Thing" (2005)
- "Let Them Talk" (2006)
- "Got to Let Go" (2008)
See also
- List of performers on Top of the Pops
- List of lovers rock artists
