Jamaican music legend Johnny Clarke, whose dynamic uptempo style propelled him to reggae stardom in the 1970s, will be honored with the inaugural Bunny Lee Lifetime Achievement Award during Reggae Weekend festivities from February 20-22. The celebration, organized by the family of legendary producer Bunny Lee, recognizes Clarke’s monumental contributions to the genre during his prolific collaboration with Lee five decades ago.
The award ceremony will take place on February 20 at the Bunny Lee Museum in Duhaney Park, St. Andrew, marking a poignant tribute to the producer who passed away in October 2020 at age 79. Bunny Lee Jr. emphasized the significance of honoring Clarke as the first recipient, noting that the singer was instrumental in shaping the distinctive sound that made his father famous.
‘Johnny Clarke stood among the premier artists who collaborated with Bunny Lee to elevate reggae into a dominant global force,’ stated Lee Jr. ‘Their 1970s partnership yielded timeless Jamaican classics including None Shall Escape The Judgement and Rock With Me Baby, which garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.’
Clarke’s remarkable journey saw him transition from working at Grace, Kennedy Ltd. in 1974 to reggae superstardom following his breakthrough hit None Shall Escape The Judgement—a track originally performed by Earl Sixteen. The unassuming artist, who was also Lee’s brother-in-law, further solidified his legacy with influential tracks like Move Outa Babylon and African Roots under Lee’s Striker label.
The award presentation launches three days of musical celebrations across Kingston. The weekend includes Saturday’s relaunch of Augustus Pablo’s historic Rockers International record store on Orange Street, an event at Randy’s Museum in downtown Kingston, and Sunday’s Legacy Sunday featuring Kingston Rhythm at Waterfront, a dance event at Victoria Pier, and Closing Dub at the Dub Club.
The Bunny Lee Museum, which opened one year ago in the producer’s former recording studio, houses an extensive collection of memorabilia including Lee’s flamboyant stage outfits, murals of iconic producers Clement Dodd, Prince Buster and Duke Reid, and instruments used by the pioneering musicians who developed the distinctive Greenwich Farm sound.