Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan is a Jamaican singer associated with ska, reggae, rocksteady and skinhead reggae. Born in Stewarton, Clarendon, Jamaica, he enters the Jamaican music scene through the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour talent show at the Palace Theatre in Kingston in 1957, where he wins with impressions of Little Richard. He is then recruited to tour the island with the comedy duo Bim and Bam.

Early recording career

Morgan first records in 1959, working with Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. His early releases include the shuffle-boogie sides “Lover Boy” and “Oh My”, and the boogie track “Fat Man”, which also becomes a hit. He also records for Coxsone Dodd. In 1960 he becomes the only artist to occupy positions one through seven on the Jamaican pop chart at the same time, with songs including “Don’t Call Me Daddy”, “In My Heart”, “Be Still” and “Meekly Wait and Murmur Not”.

Major songs and rivalry era

In 1961 he has the biggest hit of his career with “Don’t You Know”, later retitled “Housewives’ Choice” by a local DJ. The song features a ska rhythm and a duet with Millicent “Patsy” Todd, and it begins a long-running rivalry with Prince Buster, who responds with “Blackhead Chiney Man”. Morgan answers with “Blazing Fire”, followed by further exchanges including “Watch It Blackhead”, “No Raise No Praise” and “Still Insist”.

In 1962 he has another major success with “Forward March”, a song marking Jamaican independence from Great Britain. He also writes songs that later win the Festival Song Contest for other artists, including “Jamaica Whoa” for Neville Martin in 1998, “Fi Wi Island A Boom” for Stanley Beckford in 2000 and “Progress” for Devon Black in 2002.

Rocksteady, reggae and skinhead reggae

As ska develops into rocksteady in the mid-1960s, Morgan continues to release key recordings such as “Tougher Than Tough”, “Do the Beng Beng”, “Conquering Ruler” and a version of Ben E. King’s “Seven Letters”. Produced by Bunny Lee, “Seven Letters” is often described as the first true reggae single. In 1969 he records “Moon Hop” on Crab Records, a skinhead anthem that also reaches UK No. 49. His other recordings from this period include “I Am the Ruler” and “No Dice”.

Later career and performances

Failing eyesight leads Morgan to stop regular stage appearances, though he continues to perform occasionally at ska revival shows around the world, often backed by guitarist Lynn Taitt. He remains active in Jamaica and the UK into the early 1970s and lives mainly in the UK or the US from the late 1960s onward.

He works with several other Jamaican artists, including Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. In July 2002 he appears at the “Legends of Ska” concert in Toronto alongside artists such as The Skatalites, Lloyd Knibb, Rico Rodriguez, Lloyd Brevett, Lester Sterling, Johnny Moore, Lynn Taitt, Prince Buster, Alton Ellis, Owen Gray, Lord Creator, Justin Hinds, Derrick Harriott, Winston Samuels, Roy Wilson, Patsy Todd, Doreen Shaffer, Stranger Cole and Lord Tanamo. He also appears on the bill at the Augustibuller music festival in 2007.

Albums and compilations

Morgan’s albums include Seven Letters and Derrick Morgan in London from 1969, Moon Hop from 1970, Feel So Good and Still in Love from 1977, The Legend of Derrick Morgan from 1980, I Am the Ruler and Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court) from 1992, The Conquering Ruler from 1994, Ska Man Classics from 1995 and 1997, 21 Hits Salute from 1997, Meets the High Notes Live from 2003, Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960–69 from 2003, Derrick: Top the Top from 2003, Derrick Meets the High Notes from 2004 and Shake A Leg from 2014. Feel So Good and Still in Love feature Hortense Ellis, and The Conquering Ruler is credited with the Sensational Yebo.

Selected singles

His singles include “The Hop” / “Tell It To Me”, “Forward March” / “Please Don’t Talk About Me”, “See The Blind” / “Cherry Home”, “I Am The Ruler” / “I Mean It”, “No Dice” / “I Mean It”, “River to the Bank” / “Reggae Limbo”, “Seven Letters” / “Lonely Heartaches”, “The First Taste of Love” / “Dance All Night”, “Don’t Play That Song” / “How Can I Forget You”, “Mek It Tan Deh” / “Gimme Back”, “Send Me Some Loving” / “Come What May”, “Hard Time” / “Death Rides A Horse”, “Man Pon Moon” / “What A Thing”, “Moon Hop” / “Harris Wheel”, “A Night at the Hop” / “Telephone”, “Oh Baby” / “The Rat”, “Need To Belong” / “Let’s Have Some Fun”, “I Wish I Was An Apple” / “The Story”, “Take A Letter Maria” / “Just A Little Loving”, “Rocking Good Way” / “Wipe These Tears”, “My Dickie” / “Brixton Hop”, “I Can’t Stand It No Longer” / “Beyond The Wall”, “Endlessly” / “Who’s Making Love”, “Hurt Me” / “Julia” and “Searching So Long” / “Drums of Passion”. He also records duets and pairings with Patsy Todd, Jennifer Jones, Owen Gray and others, including Derrick & Patsy, Derrick & Naomi, Derrick and Yvonne, Martin & Derrick, and Upper Cut Band.

Recognition

Morgan’s song “Tougher Than Tough” is later featured in the video game Scarface: The World is Yours.