BB Seaton 'giant of Jamaican music' has died

Harris Lloyd Seaton, more popularly known as BB Seaton, died today at age 79 in London, England.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says that with Seaton's death "another one of the giants of Jamaican music has left us".

“If ever a variety of musical talent resided in one man, it was in BB Seaton. He was a qualified musician, and a singer of exceptional quality who led one of Jamaica’s outstanding musical groups, The Gaylads. He was one of the most prolific songwriters to hit the local scene, and a record producer of note," Minister Grange said.

“His singing and songwriting careers started from high school at Cornwall College. To form The Gaylads, he teamed up with Delano Stewart and Maurice Roberts and together they recorded a series of hits including Lady with the red Dress, You Should Never do That, No Good Girl, Stop Making Love Beside me, Love me With all Your Heart and Hard to Confess," Grange added.

Seaton also co-wrote Freedom Street with Ken Boothe and wrote Swing and Dine for The Melodians. He wrote songs for others singers such as Marcia Griffiths, Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, The Chosen Few, Home T 4, Freddie McGregor, Aswad, UB40, The Uniques, Jimmy London, Maxi Priest, The Inner Circle, Ruddy Thomas, AJ Franklyn, Joy White, Merlyn Brooks, Jennifer Laura and Mike Brooks.

Seaton, who released some 15 albums, received the El Suzie Award as best songwriter and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Award in 1981-1982 for pioneering Jamaican music as a singer and songwriter.

He also served as executive member and vice president for the Jamaica Federation of Musicians the press release stated. Up to the time of his passing, Seaton was releasing some of his vintage productions on his Soul Beat Record label in London.

Grange noted that, "in one man was wrapped up a whole lot of music for himself and for many others".

"For all of us. Harris Lloyd Seaton…BB, as we will always remember him, had a tremendous influence especially on the Jamaican music genres, ska and rocksteady. My sincerest sympathy to his wife, Sue, the rest of his family, relatives, friends, associates and to the music fraternity. Rest in Peace, BB Seaton,” the Culture Minister said.