Winston Riley was an influential and pioneering reggae musician, singer, and producer. Born in Kingston, Riley was just 16 when he formed his first group, the Techniques. The vocal outfit went on to work with such producers as Byron Lee and Duke Reid before splitting up in 1968. It was then that Riley formed his own record label and began producing other artists. Over the next several years, he worked with the likes of the Escorts, Alton Ellis, and Johnny Osbourne. One of his early productions, 1971′s “Double Barrel” as recorded by Dave and Ansel Collins, is considered one of Jamaica’s first international hits for reaching #1 on both the British and Dutch charts. In fact, Riley is widely considered one of the first people to introduce reggae to England. He also produced one of reggae’s most influential albums, the 1979 General Echo release, The Slackest. The list of artists who can give Riley some credit for their success includes Gregory Isaacs, Buju Banton, Sister Nancy, Cutty Ranks, and Frankie Paul. In August of 2011, Riley was stabbed, and then a month later, he was shot in the head. As of the early months following the incidents, police had not apprehended any suspects nor determined motive. On January 19, 2012, Winston Riley died of complications from the shooting. He was 65.
John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R. After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop Dog, Tupac Shakur and Doctor Dre. He later formed Margela Records & Consulting, and then, Infusion Music Group, a publishing company that counted the Spice Girls and Jessica Simpson among its artists. In 2007, Atterberry went to work for GridLock, an event promotions company while also acting as CFO of the VIP Group, a real estate brokerage firm. On Friday, December 9, 2011 Atterberry was on Sunset Boulevard at Vine Street when he was shot in the face and upper body by Tyler Brehm who was firing random shots into passing cars as he walked down the middle of Sunset. Police say that Brehm shot nearly 20 bullets into the air and at cars while he screamed that he wanted to die. A brave witness in a nearby building held his attention long enough for police to arrive on the scene and order him to drop his weapon. When Brehm reportedly aimed at the officers, they shot and killed him. Charles Atterberry, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries on Monday, December 12, 2011. He was 40 years old.
Philip “Fatis” Burell July 23, 1954 – December 3, 3011
Philip “Fatis” Burrell was a well-respected reggae producer, artist manager, and owner of the influential label, Xterminator Records. By most accounts, he was one of the most successful producers of the modern reggae era. Burrell’s first credit was likely as producer of Sugar Minott’s “More Dogs To The Bone” in 1984. Around that time, he also started his first label, Kings & Lions. A couple of years later, Burrell launched Vena Records where he helped launch the careers of Sanchez and Pinchers. He also released records by such established greats as Gregory Isaacs and Frankie Paul on Vena. Over the course of his career, Burrell also worked with – either as their label head, producer, or manager - Luciano, Sizzla, Cocoa Tea, Ras Shiloh, and Everton Blender, to name a few. On December 3, 2011, Philip “Fatis” Burrell passed away from complications of a mild stroke he suffered two weeks earlier. He was 57.
Don DeVito was a respected producer and label executive who, over a career that spanned five decades, produced landmark albums by Bob Dylan and played a key role in the successes of Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash, Aerosmith, and Simon & Garfunkel, to name a few. After an early career as a musician – he played guitar for Al Kooper – DeVito went to work for CBS Records as part of their Executive Training Program. The year was 1967, and by 1971, he was running the marketing department of what had recently been re-named Columbia Records. He later moved over to A&R where he worked more closely with Columbia’s jaw-dropping stable of artists. In the studio, DeVito produced Dylan’s Desire and Street Legal, among others. He was nominated for five separate Grammys, winning in 1989 for Folkways: A Vision Shared – A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly. After the 9/11 attacks on New York City, DeVito was instrumental to the success of The Concert For New York City which raised over $1 million dollars for the victims and their families. On November 25, 2011, Don DeVito passed away following a long battle with prostate cancer. He was 72.
Edmundo Ros was a Trinidad born but England based Latin jazz singer, musician and bandleader who came to prominence during the 1940s. Ros’ first instrument of choice was the euphonium, a wind brass instrument, which he played in the Venezuelan Military Band from the late ’20s to late ’30s. Soon after, he received a proper music education from London’s Royal Academy of Music. It was during that time that he played a a handful of recordings by Fats Waller. In 1940, Ros formed a rumba band which eventually swelled to 16 musicians and was renamed Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra. The band became very popular throughout Europe, playing for royalty and celebrities alike. His 1949 78 record, “The Wedding Samba,” sold over 3 million copies, while his Rhythms Of The South LP of 1958 sold well over a million. In all, Ros made more than 800 recordings throughout his career. He also ran his own record label and one of London’s most popular nightclubs of its era. Edmund Ross made his farewell performance in 1994, and passed away at 100 years old on October 21, 2011.
Thanks to Dan Del Fiorentino at NAMM for the assist.
Winston Riley was an influential and pioneering reggae musician, singer, and producer. Born in Kingston, Riley was just 16 when he formed his first group, the Techniques. The vocal outfit went on to work with such producers as Byron Lee and Duke Reid before splitting up in 1968. It was then that Riley formed his own record label and began producing other artists. Over the next several years, he worked with the likes of the Escorts, Alton Ellis, and Johnny Osbourne. One of his early productions, 1971′s “Double Barrel” as recorded by Dave and Ansel Collins, is considered one of Jamaica’s first international hits for reaching #1 on both the British and Dutch charts. In fact, Riley is widely considered one of the first people to introduce reggae to England. He also produced one of reggae’s most influential albums, the 1979 General Echo release, The Slackest. The list of artists who can give Riley some credit for their success includes Gregory Isaacs, Buju Banton, Sister Nancy, Cutty Ranks, and Frankie Paul. In August of 2011, Riley was stabbed, and then a month later, he was shot in the head. As of the early months following the incidents, police had not apprehended any suspects nor determined motive. On January 19, 2012, Winston Riley died of complications from the shooting. He was 65.
John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R. After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop Dog, 
Edmundo Ros was a Trinidad born but England based Latin jazz singer, musician and bandleader who came to prominence during the 1940s. Ros’ first instrument of choice was the euphonium, a wind brass instrument, which he played in the Venezuelan Military Band from the late ’20s to late ’30s. Soon after, he received a proper music education from London’s Royal Academy of Music. It was during that time that he played a a handful of recordings by 