Gregory Isaacs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gregory Isaacs OD
Isaacs performing at the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in June 2010
Background information
Birth name	Gregory Anthony Isaacs
Also known as	Cool Ruler Lonely Lover
Born	(1951-07-15)15 July 1951 Kingston, Jamaica
Died	25 October 2010(2010-10-25) (aged 59) London, England
Genres	Reggae lovers rock dub
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Years active	1968–2010
Labels	African Museum Cash and Carry Trojan VP RAS

Gregory Anthony Isaacs OD (born July 15, 1951 – died October 25, 2010) was a famous Jamaican reggae musician. He was known for his smooth voice. Many people, like Milo Miles from The New York Times, called him "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae." This means he had one of the best voices in reggae music.

Gregory Isaacs' Early Music Career

When Gregory Isaacs was a teenager, he often took part in talent shows in Jamaica. In 1968, he first recorded a song called "Another Heartache." He recorded it for a producer named Byron Lee.

This first song didn't sell many copies. After that, Isaacs worked with Errol Dunkley. Together, they started a record label and shop called African Museum. Soon, he had a big hit song called "My Only Lover." Many people say this was the very first lovers rock song ever made.

He recorded for other producers to help pay for more African Museum recordings. In the next three years, he had many successful songs. These songs ranged from slow love songs (ballads) to roots reggae. Some of his hits included "All I Have Is Love," "Lonely Soldier," and "Extra Classic." He also sang his own version of Dobby Dobson's "Loving Pauper."

In 1974, he started working with producer Alvin Ranglin. That year, his song "Love Is Overdue" became the number one song in Jamaica.

During the 1970s, Isaacs recorded for many of Jamaica's best producers. These included Winston "Niney" Holness and Lee "Scratch" Perry. By the late 1970s, Gregory Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae stars in the world. He often toured in the US and the UK. Only Dennis Brown and Bob Marley were as popular as him.

Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs worked with Alvin Ranglin again. They recorded many hits like "Border" and "Number One" for Ranglin's GG's label. Isaacs also opened his own shop called Cash and Carry. It was also the base for his record label, which he ran with Trevor "Leggo" Douglas.

Becoming a Global Music Star

In 1978, Gregory Isaacs signed with Virgin Records' Front Line Records. This made him even more famous around the world. He also appeared in the movie Rockers, where he sang "Slavemaster."

His albums Cool Ruler (which became one of his nicknames) and Soon Forward didn't sell as much as expected at first. However, today, these albums are seen as some of his best work. In 1981, he performed for the first time at the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He went back to this festival every year until 1991.

He then signed with Pre, a part of Charisma Records. They released his albums The Lonely Lover and More Gregory. He also had many successful singles like "Tune In" and "Permanent Lover." Later, he signed with Island Records. This led to his most famous song, "Night Nurse." It was the main song from his album Night Nurse (1982).

Even though "Night Nurse" wasn't a big chart hit in the UK or US, it was very popular in clubs. It was also played a lot on the radio. The album reached number 32 in the UK. The song was even used in commercials for a cold and flu medicine with the same name.

In 1983, he released his second album for Island, called Out Deh!. He was also in the 1982 documentary Land of Look Behind.

After his contract with Island ended, Isaacs released the single "Kool Ruler Come Again" in 1984. He then started recording many, many songs. He worked with producers like Prince Jammy and Steely & Clevie. Even though he made a lot of music, it was always good.

Isaacs then built a strong working relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label. They started with his 1985 album Private Beach Party. They had a big hit with "Rumours" in 1988. More popular songs followed, like "Mind Yu Dis" and "Rough Neck." He continued working with Clarke into the early 1990s. He also sang with other artists like Freddie McGregor and J.C. Lodge.

In 1993, he sang with Beres Hammond on the song "One Good Turn." This song was produced by Philip "Fatis" Burrell. Burrell also produced Isaacs's 1994 album Midnight Confidential.

In the 1990s, the African Museum label kept releasing Gregory Isaacs's music. They also released music from artists he produced. In 1997, the band Simply Red sang their own version of "Night Nurse." Isaacs continued to record and perform live in the 2000s. In 2005, Lady Saw made another version of "Night Nurse." She added her own toasting (a type of rhythmic talking) over the original music.

He performed at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 opening ceremony in Jamaica. In 2007, he worked with the Spanish rap group Flowklorikos/Rafael Lechowski on their album Donde Duele Inspira.

In 2008, Isaacs released a new album called Brand New Me. It was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2010. Critics gave the album good reviews. Reggae Vibes wrote that "Gregory is back, and how! 'Brand New Me' is a very suitable album title for the cool ruler's new album. He is back in a different style." This album was followed by My Kind Of Lady in 2009.

In 2010, Isaacs released his last album while he was still alive. It was called Isaacs Meets Isaac, and he made it with Zimbabwean reggae singer King Isaac. In November 2010, Isaacs Meets Isaac was nominated for Best Reggae Album for the 2011 Grammy Awards. This was Isaacs's fourth Grammy nomination.

His Passing

Gregory Isaacs passed away from lung cancer on October 25, 2010. He died at his home in Harrow Weald, London. A special memorial service was held on November 20 in Kingston, Jamaica. Many artists performed a musical tribute, including Lloyd Parks, Ken Boothe, and Freddie McGregor. After the service, he was buried at the Dovecot Cemetery.

His Lasting Impact

The Gregory Isaacs Foundation was started on July 15, 2011. This was Gregory Isaacs's birthday. His wife, June Wyndham, set it up to continue his charity work. A year later, a free concert was held with artists like U-Roy and Big Youth. The money raised helped two schools.

In July 2015, a mural (a large painting on a wall) of Isaacs was revealed. It was at 125 Orange Street, where his old Cash and Carry shop used to be. This place is now the Leggo Recording Studios. At the same event, "Cool Ruler" spring water was launched.

In 2016, the Jamaican government announced that they would give Isaacs a special award after he died. It was the Order of Distinction (Officer Class). This award was to recognize his important contributions to Jamaica's music.

In October 2016, the Gregory Isaacs Foundation in the UK put up a special blue plaque (a sign) at 59 Weald Lane, Harrow. This was the house where Isaacs lived for the last three years of his life. In February 2018, another blue plaque was put up at his old home in St. Andrew, Jamaica. The foundation also shared plans to open a museum there to honor him.

List of His Albums

Gregory Isaacs released over 500 albums. Many of these were collections of songs he had already released. Below is a list of his studio albums that had new, original songs:

Images for kids

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  An advertisement for a Gregory Isaacs concert in Negril, 2009.

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In Spanish: Gregory Isaacs para niños