Born in Cuba of mixed Cuban and Jamaican descent, Aitken and his family settled in Jamaica in 1938. After an early career working for the Jamaican Tourist Board singing mento songs for visitors arriving at Kingston Harbour, he became a popular nightclub entertainer. His first recordings in the late 1950s were mento tunes such as "Nebuchnezer", "Sweet Chariot" (aka the gospel classic "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot") and "Baba Kill Me Goat". Aitken's 1958 single "Boogie in My Bones"/"Little Sheila" was one of the first records produced by Chris Blackwell and the first Jamaican popular music record to be released in the United Kingdom. Other more Jamaican rhythm and blues orientated singles from this period include "Low Down Dirty Girl" and "More Whisky" both produced by Duke Reid.
Aitken moved to Brixton, London, in 1960 and recorded for the Blue Beat label, releasing fifteen singles before returning to Jamaica in 1963. He recorded for Duke Reid, with backing from the Skatalites on tracks such as "Zion" and "Weary Wanderer", before returning to the UK, where he began working with Pama Records. He recorded hits such as "Fire in Mi Wire" and "Landlord and Tenants", which led to a wider recognition outside of Jamaica and the UK. This cemented his position as one of ska's leading artists and earned him the nicknames The Godfather of Ska, and later Boss Skinhead. He gained a loyal following not only among the West Indian community, but also among mods, skinheads and other ska fans. He had hit records in the United Kingdom and other countries in the 1950s through to the 1970s on labels such as Blue Beat, Pama, Trojan, Rio, Dr. Bird, Nu-Beat, Ska-Beat,Hot Lead and Dice. Some of his singles featured B-sides credited to his brother, guitarist Bobby Aitken. Aitken also recorded a few talk-over/deejay tracks under the guise of 'King Horror', such as "Loch Ness Monster", "Dracula, Prince of Darkness", and "The Hole". Aitken settled in Leicester with his wife in 1970. His output slowed in the 1970s and during this period he worked as an entertainer in nightclubs and restaurants in the area including the popular 'Costa Brava Restaurant' in Leicester under his real name Lorenzo. In 1980, with ska enjoying a resurgence in the wake of the 2 Tone movement, Aitken had his only success in the UK Singles Chart with "Rudi Got Married" (#60) released on I-Spy Records (the label created and managed by Secret Affair. Aitken's career took in mento/calypso, R&B, ska, rock steady, and reggae, and in the 1990s he even turned his talents to dancehall. He performed occasional concerts almost until his death from a heart attack in 2005. After a long campaign, a blue plaque in his honour was put up at his Leicester home in 2007. Punk band Rancid cover's Aitken's Everybody Suffering on their 2014 LP Honor Is All We Know
Laurel Aitken (April 22, 1927 - July 17, 2005) became famous as one of the originators of Jamaican ska music in the late 1950s.
Aitken was born as Lorenzo Aitken in Cuba, and is the brother of singer Bobby Aitken. He moved to England in the 1960s, and had a loyal following among Skinheads and other ska fans. He had massive hits in the 1950s through 1970s, while recording for Blue Beat Records, Pama Records and Trojan Records. He recorded one of the earliest ska records, the double A-sided Boogie in My Bones / Little Sheila (1958). It was the first record on producer Chris Blackwell's Island Records label.
Aitken, who is known as "The Godfather of Ska", made his home in Leicester UK and performed live almost until his death. He suffered from a serious illness following a heart attack about a year before he died. He died from a heart attack in Leicester, UK on July 17, 2005.
They Got It
Laurel Aitken Lyrics
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It's a great day, to rememba, independence of Ghana,
Ghana is our friend it's made of love,
Because it comes from above,
And if any flavour is sung,
From love and Mexican.
And if fresco primeminista,
With the great doctor nacruma
If entaguin, setting my gear,
Ghana is a place, the isle of love,
With the places that come from above,
And if that's where it comes,
Ma dear love, a helping hand.
Ghana is a land that you may know,
But our love we almost show,
But de wife, with the plantin,
Ya makin de plontear come from above,
Ghana is a place, the isle of love,
With the places that come from above,
And if that's where it comes,
Ma dear love, a helping hand.
Yeah so I cheat, but me don't care,
The independ oui mon cher,
Me all, de live two plodere wander,
Ghana is a place, the isle of love,
With the places that come from above,
And if that's where it comes,
Ma dear love, a helping hand.
The lyrics of Laurel Aitken's song "Ghana Independence" are a celebratory ode to Ghana, which gained independence from British colonial rule in 1957. The lyrics capture the mood of the time, with Aitken praising the newly independent nation as "made of love" that "comes from above." He mentions several key figures in Ghana's history, including Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah and musician Gary Plodge, who is said to have an ear for the Ghanaian musical style. The lyrics also express gratitude for the support of Ghana's friends, and the belief that the country is a place of love and hope.
Line by Line Meaning
1957 they sing so much and everybody, de pasta
In 1957, everyone was so joyful and celebratory, singing and enjoying themselves.
It's a great day, to rememba, independence of Ghana,
This day is special and worth remembering, as it marks Ghana's independence.
Ghana is our friend it's made of love,
We consider Ghana as our friend, and we have a strong bond based on love.
Because it comes from above,
The love and friendship we have with Ghana comes from a higher power, perhaps divine.
And if any flavour is sung,
No matter how the celebration takes place or how diverse it may be,
From love and Mexican.
It will be founded on love and may include elements from different cultures, like Mexican.
And if fresco primeminista,
Even if there's a new Prime Minister in Ghana,
With the great doctor nacruma
And with the leadership of the great doctor Nkrumah,
Gary Plodge with a grim ear,
While Gary Plodge listens closely,
If entaguin, setting my gear,
Even if I'm confused or unsure of my place in all of this,
Ghana is a place, the isle of love,
Ghana is a country filled with love and warmth,
With the places that come from above,
And with its beautiful and meaningful landmarks and locations that make it special,
And if that's where it comes,
If that's where the love and happiness come from,
Ma dear love, a helping hand.
Then I offer my dear love and support, extending a helping hand in celebration with Ghana.
Ghana is a land that you may know,
Ghana may be a familiar land to you,
But our love we almost show,
But we haven't shared or expressed the extent of our love enough yet,
But de wife, with the plantin,
But my wife and I, with the help of the plantain (a common food in Ghana),
Ya makin de plontear come from above,
Are making a dish that is divine and blessed,
Yeah so I cheat, but me don't care,
Yes, I may be cheating in some way, but it doesn't matter to me,
The independ oui mon cher,
Because independence is something to be cherished and celebrated,
Me all, de live two plodere wander,
My wife and I will go exploring, enjoying our time together and celebrating Ghana's independence.
Ghana is a place, the isle of love,
Once again, Ghana is a country full of love and happiness,
With the places that come from above,
And with beautiful and meaningful landmarks that make it special,
And if that's where it comes,
If that's where the love and happiness come from,
Ma dear love, a helping hand.
I will continue to offer my love and support, extending a helping hand in celebration with Ghana.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: AITKEN, LAUREL ANTONIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@StanSaquii
i can send you a copy of the whole show - i'm the keyboard player in this band. Laurel was the greatest an honour to be in his band for so long. An Inspiration to my parents generation in england in the sixties. We had all his records from that period.
@emilrimac6151
Send me that please
@borivojejasic9934
Send please or put on youtube
@gianniparisi5879
i would love to see that and be honored
@LumpoMcBlumbo
can I see as well????
@automotivevlogs2861
Please Upload It
@sunboy1000
R.I.P Laurel you are the king of the real Skinheads
@MooseWhiskers
🖤
@carolinacarpioperez3753
@@MooseWhiskers ooooooooooooooooouii
@user-cm9ql2bs4l
No , Judge Dredd, N1, for skinhead