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Died On This Date (November 4, 2008) Byron Lee / Ska Pioneer

Posted by themusicsover on November 4, 2009

Byron Lee
June 27, 1935 – November 4, 2008

ByronLee102906wf32Byron Lee was a Jamaican musician, band leader and producer who has been credited for introducing the electric bass to Jamaica.  He formed the Dragonaires in the early ’50s.  They went on to become one of the most successful and influential ska bands Jamaica has ever known.  As a producer, Lee worked with the likes of the Maytals.  He later bought a recording studio and turned it into the best of it’s kind in Jamaican, hosting the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon among other major acts.  In 2007, it became known that Lee was being treated for bladder cancer.  Although he was no longer able to perform with the Dragonaires, he continued on in a management capacity.  Byron Lee died of cancer at the age of 73.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

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Byron Lee & The Dragonaires

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