U-Roy, Jamaica's iconic reggae, dancehall artist dead at 78 y-o

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Ewart Beckford

U-Roy

 OD (born 21 September 1942,Died 2/17/2021), known by the stage name U-Roy, is a Jamaican vocalist and pioneer of toasting.^[1][2] U-Roy is noted for a melodic style of toasting applied with a highly developed sense of timing. 

Early life[edit]

U-Roy aka Ewart Beckford

Ewart Beckford was born in Jones Town, Saint Andrews Parish, Kingston, Jamaica, on 21 September 1942. He was raised within a religious and musical family; his mother was an organist for the choir at a local Seventh-day Adventist church.^[3] The sobriquet U-Roy originated from a younger member of his family who found it difficult to pronounce his first
name.^[4] Beckford attended Denham Town High School in Kingston.^[5] As a young man Beckford listened to the music of Louis Prima, James Brown, Ruth Brown, Fats Domino, Rufus Thomas, Smiley Lewis and was especially influenced by the vocal phrasing of Louis Jordan.^{[6]  DEVELOPING STORY more on www.rulabrownnetwork.com   MORE}