Bob Andy facts for kids

Keith Anderson (born October 28, 1944 – died March 27, 2020), known to many as Bob Andy, was a famous Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter. He is remembered as one of the most important songwriters in reggae music.

Early Life and Challenges

Keith Anderson was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in October 1944. When he was seven, he moved to live with his grandmother in Westmoreland. After his grandmother passed away, he faced a difficult time living with new guardians.

Later, he returned to Kingston to help look after one of his siblings. Life was still tough, and he tried to find a place at the Maxfield Park children's home. At the home, he learned to play the piano by himself. He also started singing in the Kingston Parish Church choir. There, he met Tyrone Evans in the local scout troop, and they formed a group called the Binders.

A Career in Music

Bob Andy was one of the first members of a group called The Paragons. Other members included Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett. John Holt joined for a short time before Vic Taylor took his place. Bob Andy left The Paragons and started working for Studio One, helping to deliver records and write songs. Soon after, he began his solo music career.

Solo Success

In 1967, Bob Andy had his first solo hit song, "I've Got to Go Back Home." Other popular songs followed, like "Desperate Lover," "Feeling Soul," "Unchained," and "Too Experienced." He also wrote songs for other reggae artists. These included "I Don't Want to See You Cry" for Ken Boothe, and "Feel Like Jumping," "Truly," and "Melody Life" for Marcia Griffiths. Many of his songs from the late 1960s, such as "Going Home" and "My Time," became well-known reggae classics. His 1992 hit, "Fire Burning," is also considered a reggae standard. Many artists have sung their own versions of his songs.

Bob and Marcia

In the early 1970s, Bob Andy teamed up with Marcia Griffiths to form the duo Bob and Marcia. They first recorded for Studio One, then worked with producer "Harry J" Johnson. They had a very big hit in the UK with the song "Young, Gifted and Black." They traveled to the UK to promote the song and even toured with famous artists like Elton John. However, they faced problems with their earnings, which made them feel disappointed with the music business.

Bob and Marcia continued to make music without Harry J. They returned to the UK and recorded "Pied Piper," which also became a top 20 hit. But the duo later split up when Marcia Griffiths joined the I Threes, a group that sang backup for Bob Marley.

New Paths and Recognition

Feeling a bit tired of the music business, Bob Andy took a break from music in 1978. He started dancing with the National Dance Theatre Company and focused on acting. He appeared in films like Children of Babylon (1980) and The Mighty Quinn (1989). He later moved to London, where he worked as a producer and recorded with Mad Professor. He also spent time in Miami.

In 1997, he released a new album called Hangin' Tough, which was produced by Willie Lindo.

In 2005, Bob Andy toured Africa for the first time. He performed at the Bob Marley 60th birthday concert in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While there, he also sang at the President's Palace and gave concerts to help the Twelve Tribes organization.

The Jamaican government honored Bob Andy in October 2006. They gave him the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) for his great contributions to Jamaican music.

Bob Andy passed away from cancer on March 27, 2020, at the age of 75.

Discography

Albums

• Bob Andy's Song Book (1970), Studio One
• Lots of Love and I (1978), High Note
• Friends (1983), I-Anka
• Freely (1988), I-Anka
• Bob Andy's Dub Book (1994), I-Anka
• Hanging Tough (1997), VP
• Reggae Land (2006), Upstairs

Compilations

• Retrospective (1986), I-Anka
• Songbook (1988), Studio One
• Fire Burning (1995), Sanctuary

Bob and Marcia

• Young Gifted and Black (1970), BMG / Sanctuary
• Pied Piper (1971), Trojan

Cover versions of Bob Andy songs

• We Remember Bob Andy (2023), VP

See also

• List of reggae musicians
• List of roots reggae artists
• Trojan Records