Hopeton Lewis facts for kids

Hopeton Lewis (born October 3, 1947 – died September 4, 2014) was a talented singer from Jamaica. He was known for his amazing voice in rocksteady and reggae music. Hopeton also helped arrange music for other artists and even hosted a radio show!

Hopeton Lewis's Life Story

Hopeton Lewis was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He loved to sing from a very young age, starting in church. As a young person, he formed a singing group called the Regals.

In the mid-1960s, Hopeton began recording his own songs. He had one of the very first hit songs in a music style called rocksteady. This song was "Take It Easy," released in late 1966. It was recorded with a band called Lynn Taitt and the Jets. Many people think this song was one of the first rocksteady songs ever!

Hopeton had many more hit songs in Jamaica during the late 1960s and early 1970s. He also worked for a famous music producer named Duke Reid. Hopeton helped arrange music and sang backup for other artists. In 1970, he won the Festival Song Contest with his song "Boom Shaka Lacka."

Later, he started singing with a popular band called Byron Lee & the Dragonaires. In 1971, he had another big hit song called "Grooving Out On Life."

Hopeton Lewis kept releasing records, but his biggest success was in the early 1970s. In 1996, he released an album called This Is Gospel on his own music label, Bay City Music. He had started this label in the 1980s. Much of his later music was in the gospel style, like his album Reaching Out to Jesus from 2000.

Later in his life, Hopeton lived in Brooklyn, New York. There, he hosted a music show on Grace Deliverance Radio.

Hopeton Lewis passed away on September 4, 2014, at his home in Brooklyn. He was 66 years old and had been sick with kidney failure.

A music group called The Disciples has a record label named Boom Shaka Laka. They chose this name to honor Hopeton Lewis's famous song.

Hopeton Lewis's Albums

• Take It Easy (1968), Merritone
• Grooving Out On Life (1971), Dynamic Sounds/Trojan
• Dynamic Hopeton Lewis (1974), Dragon
• All Night Bubblin' (1985), Boss
• Love, Life and Music (1997), Songs 4 Life
• Reaching Out to Jesus (2000), Orchard
• Caribbean Gospel Jubilee (2000), Rockstone
• Inner Peace (2001), Songs 4 Life
• A Holy Christmas (2002), Songs 4 Life
• Love Life & Music (2007), Quartz
• Hopeton Lewis Sings Home Coming Classics (2007), Songs 4 Life
• Hymns (2007), Songs 4 Life
• This Is Gospel (2008), Sun Moon & Stars
• Worship (2008), Songs 4 Life
• Lay Your Hands on Me Jesus (2008), Songs 4 Life
• Love Ballads Vol. One (2008), Rockstone
• Praise and Worship (2008), Songs 4 Life
• The Inspirational Hopeton Lewis
• Country Gospel (2008), Songs 4 Life
• Healing: 42 Years of Music (2009), Songs 4 Life
• All Island Gospel Revival, Songs 4 Life
• Voice of Thanksgiving, Songs 4 Life
• Song's of Faith (2013). Songs 4 Life/VP
• De Word Through Music (2014), Songs 4 Life/VP

Compilations

• Classic Gold Collection (1998), Rockstone
• Take It Easy: Rock Steady Reggae (1999), K&K/VP
• 40 Years: Happy Birthday: Celebrating 40 Years of Music (2008), Songs 4 Life