Book Review: My Life in Reggae
I feel like David Rodigan is an old friend or part of the
family, after all, I’ve invited him into my house almost every week for about
the last thirty years. It’s always a pleasure to listen to his voice and
impeccable taste in reggae, but like a favourite uncle, I must have heard all
his anecdotes a hundred times already, do I really need to read his book? Well,
the answer is emphatically yes, as the story of his life is also a history of
reggae, and there’s a lot more in ‘My Life in Reggae’ than he divulges on air.
Not least the revelation that with a mother from Maryhill and a father from
Kirkcaldy, Scotland can at last rightfully lay claim to several world cups (of
the sound clash variety). And how else would you be able to chart his career as
an actor, featuring in episodes of Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes? His drama grounding
is undoubtedly a factor in his success as a DJ, from the way he projects his
voice and maintains the entertainment value of performance in every show, to even
going as far as using fancy dress at sound clash. When I first discovered his
show on Capital in about 1986, he was one of many reggae voices on the FM dial,
alongside his old sparring partner Tony Williams on Radio London, the Ranking
Miss P on Radio One, Daddy Ernie on LWR/Choice and a plethora of pirate DJs.
Over the years, reggae was marginalised to the wee small hours, overtaken by
new forms, or found an outlet on internet radio, (you can still find some of those
names on Vibes FM). This book explains how Rodigan clung on, taking
some chances and risks, not least to his health, and eventually finds himself
appreciated by audiences as diverse as Jamaican soundclash crowds, German
teenagers tuning into his armed forces show, and a new dubstep generation.
Each chapter briefly sets out a stage in the development of reggae, from ska to new roots, juxtaposed with a period in Rodigan’s life, as he goes from schoolboy watching Millie on Top of the Pops, to radio institution, dancehall daddy and festival regular. A lot of us reggae fans may admit to a twinge of envy when hearing about Rodigan’s frequent trips to Jamaica, his reminiscences of meeting just about every singer, artist and producer ever, and the welcome greetings he receives in dancehalls from Brooklyn to Tokyo. But none of this came easy, and those looking for some mysterious secret to his success will be disappointed. What comes through in the book is that he’s first and foremost a fan, but also a dedicated student of reggae, and always humble and respectful in the presence of those who make it. He never forgets that reggae has its roots in Africa, surviving through slavery and colonialism, to become a major force for equality, love and unity in the world. He touches on subjects he does not mention on radio, from his brush with a sinister group called the ‘Black Music Protection Squad’ in the eighties, to when a soundclash rival in desperation drew the race card, and what he thinks about the murder-inciting homophobia that stained the music in the nineties. Written in an easy-going style, reading the book you can hear his unmistakeable voice, like spending a few hours in conversation with him, and is best done with one hand in your record collection (OK, or Spotify or whatever), so that you can line up a particular track whenever he mentions one, and share in his unwavering enthusiasm and passion for this music. Rodigan opened the door for many reggae fans, and there’s plenty of room inside - so get yourself along to hear some more at the Art School on 25.03.17 and keep on coming through the door!
‘My Life in Reggae’ by David Rodigan with Ian Burrell , available from Dub Vendor, Hive and all good bookshops, Number 1 pon the Amazon Musician Biographies chart
Each chapter briefly sets out a stage in the development of reggae, from ska to new roots, juxtaposed with a period in Rodigan’s life, as he goes from schoolboy watching Millie on Top of the Pops, to radio institution, dancehall daddy and festival regular. A lot of us reggae fans may admit to a twinge of envy when hearing about Rodigan’s frequent trips to Jamaica, his reminiscences of meeting just about every singer, artist and producer ever, and the welcome greetings he receives in dancehalls from Brooklyn to Tokyo. But none of this came easy, and those looking for some mysterious secret to his success will be disappointed. What comes through in the book is that he’s first and foremost a fan, but also a dedicated student of reggae, and always humble and respectful in the presence of those who make it. He never forgets that reggae has its roots in Africa, surviving through slavery and colonialism, to become a major force for equality, love and unity in the world. He touches on subjects he does not mention on radio, from his brush with a sinister group called the ‘Black Music Protection Squad’ in the eighties, to when a soundclash rival in desperation drew the race card, and what he thinks about the murder-inciting homophobia that stained the music in the nineties. Written in an easy-going style, reading the book you can hear his unmistakeable voice, like spending a few hours in conversation with him, and is best done with one hand in your record collection (OK, or Spotify or whatever), so that you can line up a particular track whenever he mentions one, and share in his unwavering enthusiasm and passion for this music. Rodigan opened the door for many reggae fans, and there’s plenty of room inside - so get yourself along to hear some more at the Art School on 25.03.17 and keep on coming through the door!
‘My Life in Reggae’ by David Rodigan with Ian Burrell , available from Dub Vendor, Hive and all good bookshops, Number 1 pon the Amazon Musician Biographies chart
If you like this, you might like Black King and To Jamaica With Love.
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