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Pioneering music producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry has sadly passed away aged 85. The innovative musician whose real name was Rainford Hugh Perry died in hospital in Lucea, north-west Jamaica on 29th August 2021.
Born on 20th March 1936, Lee “Scratch” Perry began his musical career in the 1950s, first as a label assistant and then as an artist himself at Studio One. Following some ups and downs at another label, Perry created his own; Upsetter Records in 1968, and enjoyed his first major reggae hit, Funny People Boy which used a sample of a crying baby – a pioneering concept at the time.
In collaboration with his band The Upsetters, Lee “Scratch” Perry worked with them in the studio for the next few years and built a reputation as a successful producer by himself, producing The Wailers track Mr. Brown which highlighted his unique sound and techniques.
Perry built his own studio, The Black Ark where he produced for artists that included Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Byles, Junior Murvin, the Heptones, the Congos, and Max Romeo. By the end of the 70s the studio burned down, which Perry claimed that he was responsible for in a fit of rage brought on due to stress from outside influences.
During the 1980s, Lee “Scratch” Perry experimented away from his mother country of Jamaica and collaborated with other artists in England and the USA. By the end of the decade, things were picking up again once more, and notable works included Perry’s work with Mad Professor. In 1998 Perry performed as the vocalist on the Beastie Boys track Dr. Lee, PhD and was welcomed by a wider global audience.
Although Perry was already a musician of notable accolades by this point in time – he was a featured producer studied in the British music education curriculum, his career trajectory would continue to rise well into the 21stcentury. Perry won the ‘Best Reggae Album’ Grammy in 2003 for Jamaican E.T. and was voted into Rolling Stone’s list of ‘100 Greatest Artists of All Time’ the following year.
The 2000s saw Lee “Scratch” Perry collaborate as a performer and producer with a range of contemporaries at gigs around the world and a host of record releases, earning further Grammy nominations, and a reputation in the dubstep genre. Perry also exhibited a solo art show in LA in 2010, adding another string to his bow of many talents.
In 2015, a documentary was made about Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, titled Lee Scratch Perry’s Vision of Paradise, created by director Volker Schaner, who had followed the artist for 15 years. Another film followed in 2019, The Revelation of Lee “Scratch” Perry, directed by Steve Marshall which showed Perry making his 2010 album Revelation, and there are several other biopic documentary style films about his fascinating life and creative process well worth watching.
Lee “Scratch” Perry was very much appreciated in Jamaica, and received Jamaica’s sixth highest honour, the Order of Distinction, Commander Class in 2012, while the following year he was awarded a Gold Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the tributes, citing Perry as “unforgettable” and acknowledging his “sterling contribution” to music in a threat of touching messages online.
My deep condolences to the family, friends, and fans of legendary record producer and singer, Rainford Hugh Perry OD, affectionately known as "Lee Scratch" Perry. pic.twitter.com/Eec2MEd6yC
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) August 29, 2021
A monumental loss to the music world, a variety of artists have expressed their sadness at the news around the world.
The Beastie Boys paid tribute on Twitter, saying:
“We are truly grateful to have been inspired by and collaborated with this true legend.”
The Prodigy also tweeted their condolences:
https://twitter.com/the_prodigy/status/1432043050101051396
A true pioneer, responsible for so much innovation within both reggae and electronic music genres, Lee “Scratch” Perry will be sorely missed by the music community, and the many who enjoyed his work around the world.
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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