Died On This Date (August 7, 2012) Ranking Trevor / Reggae Dancehall Pioneer
themusicsover Ranking Trevor (Born Maxwell Grant)
DOB Unknown – August 7, 2012
Ranking Trevor was a Jamaican singer who, during the 1970s, helped popularize the usage of “toasting” which was an early form of rap that eventually gave birth to hip-hop. Ranking Trevor launched his career as a deejay while in his early teens, and by the time he turned 15, he had already cut his first record. Most of Ranking Trevor’s recordings were made at the legendary Channel One studio. His most famous were “Caveman Skank” and “Three Piece Chicken and Chips,” both of which charted in England. Because of his popularity in the UK, he lived there through most of the ’70s and ’80s, but ultimately settled back in Jamaica during the ’90s. On August 7, 2012, Ranking Trevor died from injuries he sustained when he was thrown from his motorcycle during an apparent accident with an automobile. The date of Ranking Trevor’s birth vary from source to source, but most put his age at 60 at the time of his death.
Lloyd Brevett is best remembered as the longtime double bassist for the highly influential Jamaican ska band, the Skatalites. Helping to form the group in 1964, Brevett was there for the early development of ska, a form of Caribbean music that included elements of calypso, mento, American jazz, and R&B that was the foundation of reggae. The Skatalites’ biggest hit was “Guns Of Navarone.” The band broke in 1965 but reformed during the mid-’80s, instantly reclaiming their fandom. Brevett left the group in 2004. Lloyd Brevett suffered a major stroke in March of 2012 and died from complications on May 3, 2012. He was 80.
King Stitt was, until the time of his passing, recognized as Jamaica’s oldest living deejay. Stitt’s career dated back to the mid ’50s when he began deejaying for the legendary 
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 
Errol Scorcher was a popular Jamaican deejay who built his following while working several soundsystems during the ’70s. In 1978, he joined Prince Jammy’s Tapetown soundsystem which went on to become of Jamaica’s most popular. Scorcher released albums like Rasta Fire, Unity Showcase, and Roach In De Corner. The list of his hit singles includes “Roach In De Corner,” Frog In A Water,” and “Mosquitoes.” On January 19, 2012, Earl Scorcher died after a blood vessel ruptured in his head. He was 55.