Byron Lee facts for kids

Byron Lee (born Byron Aloysius St. Elmo Lee, June 27, 1935 – November 4, 2008) was a famous Jamaican musician and record producer. He was best known as the leader of the popular band Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. He helped shape Jamaican music and brought it to the world.

About Byron Lee

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Byron Lee was born in Christiana, Jamaica. His mother was Chinese-Jamaican and his father was Chinese. When he was about eight years old, his family moved to Kingston. He learned to play piano at a school in Mandeville.

Later, he taught himself to play the bass guitar. Around 1950, he started a band called The Dragonaires with his friend Carl Brady. They named the band after their college football team. At first, they played mento music. In 1956, the band became professional. They grew into one of Jamaica's top ska bands. Over time, they also played other music styles like calypso and soca.

Changing Jamaican Music

Byron Lee brought the electric bass guitar to Jamaica around 1959 or 1960. He chose it because it was easier to carry than the big double bass. The electric bass made music louder and clearer. This new sound quickly became popular. It changed the sound of Jamaican music forever.

Byron Lee and his band, The Dragonaires, even appeared in the first James Bond movie, Dr. No. The movie was filmed in Jamaica in 1962. You can see them playing "Jamaica Jump Up" in a calypso bar scene.

A Music Business Leader

Byron Lee was also a record producer. He helped many artists record their songs. He produced many early ska hits for The Maytals. He was also a smart businessman. He created the Byron Lee's Spectacular Show tour. This tour took Jamaican artists all over the Caribbean.

He also bought a recording studio called West Indies Records Limited (WIRL). He renamed it Dynamic Sounds. He built a new factory there to make records. Dynamic Sounds became one of the best studios in the Caribbean. Famous international artists like Paul Simon and The Rolling Stones recorded there. The Rolling Stones even recorded their famous song "Angie" at Dynamic Sounds. Byron Lee's studio also helped distribute records across Jamaica.

The Jamaica Carnival

In 1990, Byron Lee started an annual event called the Byron Lee Jamaica Carnival. It was held in Kingston and attracted many people. This event brought together people from all parts of Kingston. Byron Lee called it "the happiest moment in my life." He had performed at carnivals in other Caribbean islands since the 1970s.

He wanted the carnival to be open to everyone. He chose a location where different communities could meet. He believed in the carnival even when others doubted it. He helped make soca music popular among all people in Jamaica.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2007, Byron Lee missed the Jamaica Carnival. He was getting treatment for bladder cancer. He no longer performed on stage with his band. However, he still helped manage The Dragonaires. A concert was held in his honor on June 30, 2007. It celebrated his 50 years in music. The money raised went to the Jamaica Cancer Society.

Byron Lee received important awards for his work. In 1982, he was given the Order of Distinction. In 2007, this award was upgraded to Commander level. This was to recognize his great contributions to music and entertainment.

Death

In October 2008, Byron Lee returned to Jamaica after treatment in Florida. On October 26, 2008, he received the Order of Jamaica (OJ). This is one of Jamaica's highest honors. Byron Lee passed away from bladder cancer in Kingston on November 4, 2008. He was 73 years old. The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, said that Jamaica and the world had lost a great music pioneer.