Issue 09
THE LEGENDS OF SKA
By Joey AltrudaPhotography By David Jiro
Illustration By Kristian Henson
Rico Rodriguez
When I first came to America, I was surprised at how many people came to the shows. I didn’t know I had so much fans in America. Like in Japan, as well, and England. I would say I have fans all over the world, man, all over the world.
Ska music, the recording is Jamaican, but we didn’t realize the interest abroad. Sound systems played the Jamaica music all over England. The sound system popularized Jamaica music worldwide. Early on, more than selling the record, it was like a sound system contest. At first the Jamaican radio wasn’t even playin’ our music, ya know? I am really surprised to see how big the music get, for the hardship the music went through in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The music we played inspired Bob Marley. I recorded one or two tunes with him before I left for England.
Desmond Dekker
Derrick Morgan
Alton Ellis
Owen Gray
Rico Rodriguez