Winston Riley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Winston Delano Riley
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| Born | 14 May 1943 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 19 January 2012 (aged 68) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1960–2011 |
| Associated acts | The Techniques |
Winston Riley (born May 14, 1943 – died January 19, 2012) was a famous Jamaican singer, songwriter, and music producer. He was known as one of the most successful producers in reggae music.
Contents
Winston Riley's Life and Music
Winston Riley was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He loved music from a young age.
Starting His Music Journey
In 1962, Winston Riley helped create a music group called The Techniques. He recorded many songs with them. This was an important step in his music career.
Becoming a Producer
In 1968, Winston Riley started his own music company. He began producing records for other musicians. Some of the artists he worked with included Alton and Hortense Ellis, and Johnny Osbourne.
A Big Hit Song
Winston Riley also wrote his own songs. One of his most famous songs was "Double Barrel." It was performed by Dave and Ansell Collins and produced by Riley himself. This song became one of the first reggae songs to be a big hit around the world. It even reached number 1 in the UK and Dutch music charts!
The Famous "Stalag" Rhythm
Winston Riley created a special music beat called the "Stalag" riddim. This rhythm is super popular and has been used in more reggae songs than any other.
How "Stalag" Began
The "Stalag" rhythm first came out in 1973. It was an instrumental track by Ansell Collins called "Stalag 17." The name came from a World War II movie. This rhythm was so good that it was used again and again in other songs, sometimes called "Stalag 18," "Stalag 19," or "Ring the Alarm Quick."
Helping New Artists
Winston Riley helped many new artists become famous. In 1979, he produced a very important album called The Slackest for General Echo. He also helped start the careers of artists like Sister Nancy, Buju Banton, Cutty Ranks, Lone Ranger, and Frankie Paul.
Winston Riley's Music Releases
Winston Riley released his own music and helped create many other albums.
Studio Albums
- Meditation Dub (1977)
- Meditation Dub Vol 2 (1999)
- Meditation Dub Vol 3 (1999)
Later Life and Passing
Winston Riley continued to work in music for many years. Sadly, on November 1, 2011, he was seriously injured in an incident at his home in Kingston. After being in a coma for some time, he passed away on January 19, 2012.
