Lincoln Thompson facts for kids

Prince Lincoln Thompson, also known as Sax, was a talented Jamaican singer, musician, and songwriter. He was born on July 10, 1949, in Kingston, Jamaica, and passed away on January 14, 1999, in London, England, at the age of 49.

Lincoln Thompson was a key member of the reggae band the Royal Rasses. He was also part of the Rastafari movement, a spiritual way of life that started in Jamaica. People often remembered him for his unique, very high singing voice, which was quite different from his normal speaking voice.

His Musical Journey

Starting Out

Lincoln Thompson began his music career in 1967 as a harmony singer. He was in a band called The Tartans with Cedric Myton, who later became famous with The Congos. The Tartans broke up in 1969.

In 1971, a famous music producer named Coxsone Dodd noticed Lincoln's talent. Lincoln recorded three songs with him at Studio One: "Daughters of Zion," "True Experience," and "Live Up to Your Name."

Forming the Royal Rasses

In 1974, Lincoln Thompson recorded the Humanity album. He worked with Cedric Myton, Clinton Hall, and Keith Peterkin on this project. He also started his own music company called God Sent.

He had two popular songs that became hits: "Kingston 11" and "Love the Way It Should Be." Years later, in 2010, the American singer John Legend and the band The Roots covered "Humanity (Love the Way It Should Be)" for Legend's album, Wake Up!.

New Record Deals and Albums

In 1978, Lincoln Thompson got a record deal with Ballistics Records in London. The company was impressed by his amazing high singing voice. A song called "Unconventional People" was released in March 1979, followed by the Humanity album in May.

Later in 1979, the Royal Rasses recorded a second album called Experience. This time, Cedric Myton was not part of the recording. This album had a richer sound than most reggae music, with more instruments than just drums and bass.

To avoid being confused with another band called The Royals, Lincoln's band changed its name to The Rasses. They recorded another album called Natural Wild in 1980. This album was recorded in London. Lincoln's choice to invite English rock musician Joe Jackson to work on the album was a bit unusual, and the album didn't sell very well.

Returning to Jamaica and Later Years

Afterward, Thompson went back to Jamaica. He restarted his God Sent music company with help from a German company. In 1982, they produced his fourth album, Ride with the Rasses. This music was recorded at famous studios like Tuff Gong and Channel One.

Around this time, Lincoln and his family moved to Tottenham, London, England. There, he opened a shop called The Rasses Fish Mart and Grocery Store, which sold healthy, natural food. In September 1983, he recorded Rootsman Blues in London. This album had a very personal feel because only three musicians played on each song.

His final album, 21st Century, was released in 1997. Someone from the United States heard his music in his shop and decided to help him fund the album. This last album was also recorded in London.

Lincoln Thompson passed away in London in January 1999, at the age of 49.

His Music Albums

Singles

• "Daughters of Zion" (1971)
• "True Experience" (1971)
• "Live Up to Your Name" (1971)

Albums

• Humanity (1979)
• Experience (1979)
• Harder na Rass (1979)
• Natural Wild (1980)
• Ride with the Rasses (1982)
• Rootsman Blues (1983) (also known as Unite The World)
• 21st Century (1997)

See also

In Spanish: Lincoln Thompson para niños