Junior Byles (Kerrie Byles Junior, most known for his 'Fade Away' is a regg… Read Full Bio ↴Junior Byles (Kerrie Byles Junior, most known for his 'Fade Away' is a reggae artist born in the poor parts of Kingston, Jamaica 1948. 'Fade Away', with its strong spiritual warnings for materialism and egoism, was recorded in 1975 for producer Joseph Hoo Kim. It was a massive hit in Jamaica and was also a big success in the UK, and was covered five years later by among others Adrian Sherwood's New Age Steppers group and by Salmonella Dub NZ, made a special version of it. By 1975, Byles' health had begun to decline. Suffering from depression, he was deeply affected by the death of Haile Selassie, unable to reconcile this with his belief in Selassie's divinity, and attempted suicide, but survived. He then had a very though life and was living on the street in USA, scavenging for food in dumpsters, and begging from passers-by. Byles occasionally resurfaced, recording albums 1989, and 1992. He returned to live performance in 2004 in Jamaica, receiving positive reviews. His legacy of recordings from the 1970s, however, maintain his status as one of roots reggae's leading talents.
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Junior Byles (Kerrie Byles Junior, aka King Chubby) was born in Kingston, Jamaica 1948.
He first formed The Versatiles with friends Ben Davis and Dudley Earl, and they were soon recording. Their first songs were cut for Joe Gibbs, with Lynn Tait's Band under Lee Perry's direction. From these sessions came "The Time Has Come", which was entered for the 1967 festival.
Another festival entry was 1971's "Rub Up" in 1971, but Byles' debut solo single (1970) was "What The World Is Coming To" c/w "Live As One", and released in the UK with strings and vocal chorus.
In 1971 Byles also recorded "Beat Down Babylon" (co-written by friend Harold Meikle) for Lee "Scratch" Perry, backed by The Now Generation Band (including Val Douglas Bass, Mikey Chung Guitar, and Wire Lindo Organ).
Following the critical acclaim "Babylon" received, Byles then worked with Perry for the whole of 1972. These sessions produced 12 tracks, 10 of which formed the album "Beat Down Babylon".
In what must have been some incredible moments of musical genius, Perry recorded Junior Byles' monumental hit "A Place Called Africa" at the same session that produced Bunny Wailer's phenomenal hit "Dreamland". The musicians at these sessions included the Barrett brothers, Tony Chin (lead guitar), Glen Adams (organ), and the rhythm guitar of Reggie Lewis.
During the mid to late 1970's he was reduced to homelessness, hunger and mental turmoil, and spent much of his life living at the street level. Indeed, his mental condition was so frail at this time, that upon hearing of Haile Selassies' death on August 27 1975, he tried suicide. This resulted in a long stay at Kingstons Bellevue mental hospital.
Byles still managed to record during these troubled times, with releases on Thing, Micron, Lovepower, Well Charge, Clocktower, Hot Shot, Impact, Treasure Isle, Observer, Advance, Soul Beat, Upsetter, Justice League, Wizzdom and Orchid.
Aside from the tracks already mentioned, "The Long Way", "Chant Down Babylon", "Bury O Boy", "Fade Away" and the incredible "Curley Locks" all rank as some of the greatest music Jamaica has ever produced.
Apart from the retrospective looks at his career, Byles still occasionally releases new material, as well as composing for other artist's. He recently performed his first show in the U.S. at the Sierra Nevada Festival in Marysville and the Ocean Rooms in Hackney, though he appeared less than 100% mentally well at the latter.
- - - - -
Junior Byles (Kerrie Byles Junior, aka King Chubby) was born in Kingston, Jamaica 1948.
He first formed The Versatiles with friends Ben Davis and Dudley Earl, and they were soon recording. Their first songs were cut for Joe Gibbs, with Lynn Tait's Band under Lee Perry's direction. From these sessions came "The Time Has Come", which was entered for the 1967 festival.
Another festival entry was 1971's "Rub Up" in 1971, but Byles' debut solo single (1970) was "What The World Is Coming To" c/w "Live As One", and released in the UK with strings and vocal chorus.
In 1971 Byles also recorded "Beat Down Babylon" (co-written by friend Harold Meikle) for Lee "Scratch" Perry, backed by The Now Generation Band (including Val Douglas Bass, Mikey Chung Guitar, and Wire Lindo Organ).
Following the critical acclaim "Babylon" received, Byles then worked with Perry for the whole of 1972. These sessions produced 12 tracks, 10 of which formed the album "Beat Down Babylon".
In what must have been some incredible moments of musical genius, Perry recorded Junior Byles' monumental hit "A Place Called Africa" at the same session that produced Bunny Wailer's phenomenal hit "Dreamland". The musicians at these sessions included the Barrett brothers, Tony Chin (lead guitar), Glen Adams (organ), and the rhythm guitar of Reggie Lewis.
During the mid to late 1970's he was reduced to homelessness, hunger and mental turmoil, and spent much of his life living at the street level. Indeed, his mental condition was so frail at this time, that upon hearing of Haile Selassies' death on August 27 1975, he tried suicide. This resulted in a long stay at Kingstons Bellevue mental hospital.
Byles still managed to record during these troubled times, with releases on Thing, Micron, Lovepower, Well Charge, Clocktower, Hot Shot, Impact, Treasure Isle, Observer, Advance, Soul Beat, Upsetter, Justice League, Wizzdom and Orchid.
Aside from the tracks already mentioned, "The Long Way", "Chant Down Babylon", "Bury O Boy", "Fade Away" and the incredible "Curley Locks" all rank as some of the greatest music Jamaica has ever produced.
Apart from the retrospective looks at his career, Byles still occasionally releases new material, as well as composing for other artist's. He recently performed his first show in the U.S. at the Sierra Nevada Festival in Marysville and the Ocean Rooms in Hackney, though he appeared less than 100% mentally well at the latter.
The Long Way
Junior Byles Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Long Way' by these artists:
20. Tech N9ne (Tech Nina, let's get it) Mama told me get it and…
A Home. A Heart. Whatever. Looking out the window at the sun on the horizon Means…
Antifreeze what will I be? If I continue to take this difficult…
Avanti Nagral [Verse] I missed kissing you on your birthday It should b…
B.Santigrey (A long, way, to go, d' y' know) I've burned…
Brett Eldredge Don't think I've ever seen your kind of pretty Wanderin' 'ro…
Dan Fogelberg She was lost And I thought I was found Even so I…
Don't Panic One more time to seal your fate One more time to…
Doug Stone Know what I'm saying, Big Haystak Street Flavor Records, bit…
Fogelberg Dan She was lost And I thought I was found Even so I…
Geoff Moore How bout we empty out our pockets How bout we…
Gorilla Rodeo! And then the band begins to play, A happy ending for…
J.HURT Polvenkorkusesta asti asiat ollu suhteessa hyvin Verrattuna …
Martin Haeuserer I lived a simple life but had a dream in…
Moke Dont go home the wrong way, cause the wrong way, will brin…
Moke & Metropole Orkest Dont go home the wrong way, cause the wrong way, will bring…
Moonchild 'Cause I need you I don't know what I'd do without…
Ras Kass Watered the Bush, I was 14, breakin"" 'Raisin' -…
rotto Living in a bedroom Speaking all my thoughts out Thinking I'…
Seven Oceans Motivation, that's what it takes to go out Dedication, I kno…
Superpitcher I came the long way I came the long way Just to…
Tech N9ne (Tech Nina, let's get it) Mama told me get it and…
The Bottle Rockets Met a child of the Cosmos On the streets of Kanab He…
The Coronas ""I'm glad that you were here tonight I've got something…
The Joyces I came a long way I don't know what to say…
various artists One night to you Lasted six weeks for me Just a bitter…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Junior Byles:
A Place Called Africa There's a place called Africa, far, far away, whoa, woo The…
Ain't Too Proud to Beg I know you wanna leave me, But I refuse to let…
Beat Down Babylon Say me no like that kind of Babylon Say me no…
Curley Locks Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks Your mama say you…
Curly Locks Curly locks, now that I'm a dreadlocks Your daddy say you…
Don't Know Why If you don't know me by now You will never never…
Fade Away He who seeks of only vanity And no love for humanity Shall…
Fever I never know how much I love you I never know…
I An I Well, I've got his feeling deep inside Don't you know, don't…
I've Got A Feeling Well, I've got his feeling deep inside Don't you know, don't…
I've Got A Feeling Well, I've got his feeling deep inside Don't you know, don't…
If You Don't Know Me By Now (If you don't know me by now) You will never, never,…
Mumbling & Grumbling Dapdaphae babo gateun neo Eojjeom geureoke nunchiga eomni Na…
Pitchy Patchy There was a time in my life When I opened my…
Poor Chubby When I lost a job just the other day I'm gon'…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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cindy clarke
Big up Junior Byles hope your health improves, we still have some ruff tunes and still listening 2020 thank you
Brian J. Carnevale
Toots just passed and that was a shocker. Prayers my man, a true pioneer, and rastaman.
We is coming your way as soon as this mask shit ends.
Peace Out & Spliff up!
Oceameurasia Djadah
Time to time, real love like this never die because love is all around and the way had no beginning and no end. Big up to all listeners.
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QUANDO ESSA TOCAVA NO REGGAE CLUB EM FORTALCITY CEARÁ NINGUEM FICAVA PARADO AI SIM É UMA PEDRA VIIU 😬🤯🤙😎
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Demais
Mariana Estevam
pedrada ⛑⛑
Rap God
Recognize the legends while they still with us
Ken Kovar
true dat!
BBZ 2XTRA
So true !❤
Jacqueline Welch
Junior Byles, luv his unique sound.🦁🎤🎶❤