Dennis Brown

February 1, 1957 - July 1, 1999

Dennis Brown, the “Crown Prince of Reggae” who had suffered from having just one lung, died on 1 July 1999 at the age of 42, from pneumonia. He leaves a wife and 13 children.

Beginning his musical career at 9 years of age, by the time he had reached 12, he had become a full member of Bryon Lee’s “Dragonaires”. A visit to Studio One at the age of 12 resulted in his first hits, the singles "No Man Is an Island" and "If I Follow My Heart".

In a career that spanned 4 decades, Dennis worked with many of reggaes top names, beginning with Coxon Dodd at Studio One, going on to work with such artists and producers as Winston (Niney) Holness, Joe Gibbs, Derrick Harriott, Herman Chin-Loy, Sidney Crooks, Prince Buster, Randy's, Phil Pratt and GG Ranglin.

The list goes on with Clive Hunt and Willie Lindo, engineer Errol Thompson, Sly & Robbie, Gussie Clarke, Tad Dawkins, Trevor Bow, Bunny Lee and Delroy Wright. In the 90’s Dennis worked with such luminaries as Junior Reid, Black Scorpio, Michael Bennett, and who can ever forget the legendary sides cut with Big Youth back in the 70’s.

After the recut “Money in My Pocket” hit the pop charts in England during the late 70’s, he moved to London and stayed for many years. This resulted in many hits and a contract with A & M Records. In 1994 he was nominated for a Grammy for the album “Light My Fire”.

Dennis Brown died on Thursday July 3rd 1999 of pneumonia/respiratory failure, while a patient at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

In the days leading up to Dennis’ funeral, a reported 10,000 mourners (right) filed past the casket. Later, crowds watched a tribute at the National Arena, which included performances from Maxi Priest and Shaggy, as well as an appearance from his five sons.

Jamaican Prime Minister Patterson led the eulogies while Dennis Brown became the first entertainer to be buried in the National Heroes.

Known as Bob Marley’s favorite singer, he released over 60 albums and 300 singles in 26 years. A selective discography follows;

> I Follow My Heart Studio One 1970

> No Man Is An Island Studio One 1970

> Sings Super Reggae & Soul Hits Trojan 1972

> Superstar Micron 1973

> Deep Down Observer 1974

> Just Dennis Trojan 1975

> If I Didn't Love You Jama 1975

> Wolf & Leopards DEB 1976

> Visions Joe Gibbs/Shanachie 1976

> Westbound Train Third World 1977

> Vision, Words of Wisdom Joe Gibbs 1978

> Joseph's Coat of Many Colors DEB 1979

> Best of Dennis Brown 1 Joe Gibbs 1980

> Spellbound Joe Gibbs 1980

> Gibbs and Brown A&M 1981

> Foul Play A&M 1981

> Money in My Pocket Trojan 1981

> Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Joe Gibbs 1982

> Love Has Found It's Way A&M 1982

> Best of Dennis Brown 2 Joe Gibbs 1982

> Stagecoach Showcase Joe Gibbs 1982

> The Prophet Rides Again A&M 1983

> Satisfaction Feeling Yvonne's Special 1984

> Judge Not (with Gregory Isaacs) Greensleeves 1984

> Revolution Yvonne's Special 1985

> Reggae Superstars Meet (with Horace Andy) Striker Lee 1985

> Slow Down Greensleeves 1985

> Wake Up Natty Congo 1985

> Brown Sugar RAS 1986

> Wild Fire (with John Holt) Natty Congo 1986

> Hold Tight Live & Learn 1986

> Greatest Hits Rohit 1987

> My Time Rohit 1987

> Inseparable J&W 1988

> Good Vibrations Yvonne's 1989

> Over Proof Greensleeves 1990

> Unchallenged Music Works 1990

> Sarge Charmers 1990

> Go Now Rohit 1990

> Some Like It Hot Heartbeat 1992

> Another Day in Paradise Trojan 1992

> Classic Hits Sonic 1992

> Friends for Life Shanachie 1992

> Blazing Shanachie 1992

> Rare Grooves, Reggae Rhythm & Blues Body Music 1993

> Classic Gold Rocky 1 1993

> Musical Heatwave Trojan 1993

> Legit Greensleeves 1993

> Light My Fire Heartbeat 1994

> Visions of the Reggae King Gold Mine 1994

> Three Against War VP 1994

> Nothing Like This RAS 1994

> Open the Gate Heartbeat 1995

> Hit After Hit Rocky 1 1996

> Songs of Emmanuel Yvonne's 1996

> Milk & Honey RAS 1996

> Can It Be VP 1996

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