Biography

Like most of Jamaica’s great singers, Ken started singing back in church as a little boy where his father was a minister in Westmoreland.   In 1961 he left home and went to Youth Core where he joined the choir. At Youth Core he was taught diction, pronunciation and voice training.  In the mid-sixties he went to Kingston and formed a vocal group called The Blues Benders.   The group released a flow of singles, the most popular being Spending Honeymoon By The Spring.

A year later the group broke up due to a lack of interest and commitment on the part of other members.  Ken decided to go it alone and later audition at Studio One where he was selected by Lee Perry to record for Studio One.   This was where the full potential of his unique voice surfaced.  The liaison resulted in two No.1 hits; My Whole World is Falling Down and Choking Kind.  Producer Clement Dodd who was fully aware of the spiritual gospel sound in Ken’s voice recorded and released the gospel album Keep Your Eyes on Jesus.  This album included songs such as Peace In The Valley and Just a Closer Walk.  He stayed with Studio One for approximately a year then left and recorded tracks for Bunny Lee, Joe Gibbs, Rupie Edwards, Federal Music Co; Dynamic Sounds and Treasure Isles.  The songs he recorded for Treasure Isles were some of his most noted.

In 1969 Ken moved to the United States where he spent two years.  He moved back to Jamaica and did some more recordings for Treasure Isles (Duke Reid) where he topped the charts four times with True True; I Can’t Hide; Help Me Make it through the Night and Jimmy Brown.  The last two songs topped the United Kingdom reggae charts for 6 weeks.

Ken left Jamaica for the United Kingdom in 1973.  While there he recorded for Work House Production, producers for A&M Records.  Things did not work out well for him so he decided to be his own producer.  He produced and recorded his first two gospel albums, I Shall Not Be Moved and Jesus on The Main Line under his own Pisces Label. He also recorded the album Touch of Inspiration.

Twenty years ago Ken moved to the USA where he continued to sing and record.  He has received enquiries and interest in his music from countries such as Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, China and Canada.  He is active in the community and is the host of The Gospel Hour on WAVS 11:70 am each Monday night at 12 am.

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