Ken Boothe is a Jamaican singer and songwriter from Denham Town, Jamaica, known for work in reggae, rocksteady and lovers rock. He is often referred to as “Mr. Rock Steady” and begins recording in the early 1960s, drawing on the musical environment around him in his family.

Career beginnings

Boothe starts his career in the early sixties. He first works with Stranger Cole in the duo Stranger & Ken, and the pair releases songs including “World’s Fair”, “Hush”, “Artibella” and “All Your Friends” between 1963 and 1965. After that, he records a run of singles for Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One label.

Rocksteady and early solo success

When rocksteady develops in 1966, Boothe records “Feel Good”. In 1968 he releases his first album, Mr. Rock Steady, which includes songs such as “The Girl I Left Behind”, “When I Fall In Love”, “I Don’t Want to See You Cry”, “Home, Home, Home” and “Puppet On A String”. He continues recording with Dodd until 1970 and is described as a major local hitmaker during this period.

Other producers and key recordings

Boothe also records for other producers alongside his Studio One work. On Sonia Pottinger’s Gayfeet label he cuts the local hits “Say You” and “Lady With the Starlight” in 1968. In 1971 he records “Freedom Street” on Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s label; it is co-written with his long-time collaborator B.B. Seaton. During the early 1970s he works with a wide range of producers, including Bunny Lee, B.B. Seaton, Keith Hudson, Randy’s, Phil Pratt and Niney the Observer.

International hits and later work

In 1974 Boothe records “Everything I Own” and “Crying Over You” for producer Lloyd Charmers. These songs bring him international success. He later re-records his first solo hit, “The Train Is Coming”, with DJ Shaggy in 1995; the recording appears on Shaggy’s BOMBASTIC album and on the soundtrack to Money Train.

Albums and recognition

Boothe has released twenty-four albums in total. Among them are the gospel album D00R 2 DOOR, the album ACCLAIMED, and CRYING OVER YOU, a 23-track retrospective covering recordings from 1963 to 1974. In 2003, he receives the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government for his contribution to music.