Going down Memory Lane.
This article was first published August 22, 2006.
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Greetings!
On behalf of the family and management of Culture, it is with extreme sadness that I report the passing away of Joseph Hill(photo) the lead singer of the veteran reggae group Culture . Joseph suddenly took ill and passed away in Berlin, Germany( August 19) while the group were in the middle of an European Tour.
The group plans to cancel the remainder of the current European tour but may perform future shows with Joseph’s son Kenyatta, standing in on lead vocals as a tribute to his father. Plans were being finalized for the group to tour West Africa in December with stops in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, Ivory Coast and Nigeria.
Sierra Leone has always been a special country to Joseph and the family has asked me to inform all of his fans that his legacy will still continue and their affection for his numerous fans in Sierra Leone. In coming days funeral arrangements will be announced. For more info please send your mails to kololo12003@yahoo.com
Sincerely yours
Raymond "Juju" Paris
Culture’s West Africa Rep
Jamaica Observer Article on Joe Hills
Singer Joseph Hill dies
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Joseph Hill, the lead singer of the veteran reggae group Culture Hill, suddenly took ill and passed away in Berlin, Germany early yesterday morning while the group were in the middle of an European tour.
"I would like to say that Culture made a great contribution to the development of reggae music," veteran crooner, Ken Boothe said. "He was truly among the greats when it comes to reggae music. The music has lost a stalwart, and my condolences to his family," Ken Boothe added.
"I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Culture. He was really one of the more important contributors to reggae music, which he carried far and wide," said singer Ras Karby who recalled growing up with Culture in Homestead in Spanish Town, St Catherine. Another old school entertainer, Strangejah Cole said he and Culture were more than just friends.
"As you know, we go back a very long way. Due to the music, we were more than just friends really. He (Culture) started 1972 and I started 1962, so I was like a 10 year period ahead of him. But I happened to meet him at Coxsone’s studio, and everywhere else where music would be and he was one of the nicest persons. He was one of Jamaica’s truly international artistes," was how Strangejah Cole remembered his musical brother and colleague.
Veteran percussionist, Bongo Herman, said that Culture was a good man whose steps were ordered by God. "I’m saddened to know that Culture really pass on, to know that me and him always de pon tour, yuh nuh. He is a man weh really tour hard and perhaps him needed some rest, yuh understand. Fah everybadi want him all over di world. As one tour dun, him take on a next one. Mi ah goh miss him. He is a great man whose steps is ordered by God, mi a tell yuh straight up," Bongo Herman attested.
Leroy Sibbles, himself a musical stalwart, who along with the Heptones helped to lay the foundation of reggae music, said while extending condolences to the late singer’s family: "Joseph Hill was the culture of the music business. Its a great loss to the music, and I’m sorry to hear."
Hill was the lead voice behind the epochal 1977 hit, Two Sevens Clash, a reference to the numerological coincidence of July 7, 1977 (7/7/77), as well as other roots staples like Natty Never Get Weary, Stop The Fussing And Fighting, I’m Not Ashamed, Jah See Them A Come, and Jah Alone[Can Give I Satisfaction]. The dub side of the latter song formed the basis for Dread No Have No Forty Leg, which helped establish the career of George Nooks.
Hill, born January 22, 1949 in Linstead, began his career at the legendary Studio One as a percussionist with the Soul Defenders and also played on Freddie McKay’s classic, Hanging On The Wall.
Hill, his cousin Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes formed the original line-up beginning in 1976, but Dayes subsequently left and was replaced by Telford Nelson.
He had over 22 albums to his credit, issued on various labels, including Heartbeat, Shanchie and Virgin.
The artiste enjoyed a lengthy career in reggae music and will be greatly missed by both fans and peers.
Reports are that the group plans to finish its current European tour and honour all other commitments with Hill’s son Kenyatta standing in on lead vocals as a tribute to his father. His last Jamaican appearance was at Reggae Sunsplash in St Ann.
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