Lloyd Parks interview by Jim Dooley<\/strong><\/p>\nI understand your first group was called The Invincibles. Who were the members of that group?<\/p>\n
In that group you have: Sly Dunbar on drums, Ansel Collins on piano, a guitarist named Scott\u2026. he played lead guitar at the time, and I played rhythm guitar at that time. I don\u2019t remember the name of the bass player. There\u2019s a guy who used to play trombone named Lloyd Carr.<\/p>\n
So how did the formation of the Termites come about?<\/p>\n
The Termites came about before that particular group. Because that group was like a band \u2026 I was like an instrumentalist. But my first group was really the Termites.<\/p>\n
You sang with a gentleman named Wentworth Vernal.<\/p>\n
Wentworth Vernal.<\/p>\n
Where is he now?<\/p>\n
Well, he\u2019s out of the business. He\u2019s not interested in the business. He\u2019s in Jamaica still.<\/p>\n
Was working for Coxsone a positive experience?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a memorable one. Because, I remember the first time me and my partner went there to do a song. We thought we were harmonizing good \u2026 we were! But Coxsone say, maybe he didn\u2019t like the song, him say, he called everybody Jackson, him say: \u2018Jackson, you have to go home and listen to the radio\u2019. So we went home and we listen to the radio and we come back another day for an audition with a song called \u2018Have Mercy Mr. Percy\u2019. Him say \u2018Yes, Jackson! That\u2019s the song!\u2019 and him record it with us. It was on the top ten for a little while and then he record an album called \u2018Do The Rock Steady\u2019.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a nice album \u2026 and still sounds nice.<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
Did you play any guitar or bass when you were at Coxsone\u2019s \u2013 or were you just straight vocals?<\/p>\n
Straight vocals.<\/p>\n
What musicians were you working with at Studio One?<\/p>\n
Bryan Atkins on bass, Jackie Mittoo, a saxophone player called Campbell, Bobby Ellis, Roland Alphonso and Johnny Moore.<\/p>\n
Were you working for any other studios at the same time as Coxsone\u2019s?<\/p>\n
No, that was the only one. After Coxsone, then we went to an independent producer, a label called Dampa, and we record a tune called \u2018Push It Up\u2019. After that, myself and Wentworth Vernal, we split up. Then I recorded a song called \u2018Slaving Everyday\u2019.<\/p>\n
By yourself? Singing?<\/p>\n
Yeah.<\/p>\n
What label was that on?<\/p>\n
On \u2018Parks\u2019 label. Then I went solo and start doing stuff. I formed a group after that now. We really didn\u2019t have a name for that group. But at that time my favorite group was the Techniques. I used to love the Techniques. And we form a group and we sounded like the Techniques. So at that time Pat Kelly was the lead singer \u2013 he just left the Techniques. We went to Winston Riley with that group and he \u2026<\/p>\n
And he just took you!<\/p>\n
Right. (laughter) That\u2019s how it went. And we recorded a song called \u2018Say You Love Me\u2019 with the Techniques \u2013 I was the lead singer. We did a few more songs, but I didn\u2019t stay on there for a long time.<\/p>\n
How much music did you record for Leslie Kong?<\/p>\n
No, I didn\u2019t record for Leslie Kong.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s funny because there is a collection of Beverly\u2019s songs (jd- King Kong Compilation on Mango) that lists you and Jackie Jackson as the bass players.<\/p>\n
No, I didn\u2019t work for him.<\/p>\n
How about Sonia Pottinger?<\/p>\n
Let me see if I can remember \u2026 I know I worked for Treasure Isle. Played on some Justin Hinds songs.<\/p>\n
Was that when Duke was still around?<\/p>\n
Yes, Duke was around then.<\/p>\n
Tell me about your relationship with \u2018Prince\u2019 Tony Robinson.<\/p>\n
I played a lot of songs for Prince Tony. Like, there was an album with Big Youth and one with U Roy. I also recorded a song called \u2018Trench Town Girl\u2019 for Prince Tony. I recorded a version of \u2018You Don\u2019t Care\u2019, and a version with a deejay called Winston Scotland \u2013 it was called \u2018Buttercup\u2019.<\/p>\n
Who were the members of Skin, Flesh & Bones?<\/p>\n
The members of Skin, Flesh & Bones was: myself on bass, Ansel Collins on keyboards, and another keyboard player called Tarzan, and Ranchie MacLean on guitar.<\/p>\n
Who all did you backup when you were in that group. Was this mostly recording or mostly live work?<\/p>\n
Live \u2026. just maybe a few record. Maybe 3 or 4 recordings with Al Brown \u2013 sing a song called \u2018Here I Am Baby\u2019. It was a big hit in Jamaica and England. Also a singer called Cynthia Richards, she used to sing with that band. Skin, Flesh & Bones was also Al Brown on vocals and Cynthia Richards on vocals.<\/p>\n
What year did you start working fo Joe Gibbs? Early 70\u2019s?<\/p>\n
About 1975-76.<\/p>\n
Had you worked for Dennis Brown before that?<\/p>\n
I started working for Dennis Brown as a backing band before. But, on record that\u2019s where I start doing recording.<\/p>\n
When you were at Gibbs, did you do any sessions with the Abyssinians?<\/p>\n
Yes. I can remember one of the songs called \u2018This Land\u2019. I played on quite a few songs for Abyssinians.<\/p>\n
And the Itals, you said you did some tracks with Lloyd Campbell.<\/p>\n
Yes for Itals.<\/p>\n
That was at Gibbs as well?<\/p>\n
That was at Randy\u2019s studio.<\/p>\n
And the Gladiators, you did some work with them at Joe Gibbs.<\/p>\n
Yes, that Prince Tony too.<\/p>\n
How would you say that Gibbs studio compared to the other big studio at that time, Channel One? What do you think the differences were? Was there a different feel \u2026 a different vibe?<\/p>\n
Both studio have their sound. They had individual sound. Whenever stuff been recorded at Channel One you could know. And when stuff was recorded at Joe Gibbs you could know. Channel One had a fantastic drum sound. Joe Gibbs had a good drum sound as well. People used to talk about Channel One drum sound.<\/p>\n
Sly seemed to be running both places.<\/p>\n
Both places (laughter).<\/p>\n
Did you do a lot of work at Channel One?<\/p>\n
Well, for individual producers.<\/p>\n
Not necessarily for the HooKim\u2019s though.<\/p>\n
I did some records like \u2018It\u2019s a Shame\u2019 by Delroy Wilson. Some other songs that I don\u2019t even remember the title.<\/p>\n
Did you ever record any songs that got credited to The Revolutionaries? The Revolutionaries seemed to have a very flexible lineup.<\/p>\n
Yeah, because I started it. Like the Skin Flesh & Bones move over to Channel One and they call it The Revolutionaries. I\u2019m trying to remember \u2013 I know I played songs there \u2026 but I can\u2019t remember what was outstanding, that was a hit.<\/p>\n
It seems like you played on a thousand different records in the 70\u2019s. Did you have a favorite studio to work at?<\/p>\n
I used to enjoy working at Joe Gibbs, Dynamic Sounds and Federal. Randy\u2019s studio was like 1969-70. The studios that were outstanding at that time were Dynamic Sound and Randy\u2019s, because that was even before Channel One.<\/p>\n
Your talking early 70\u2019s now.<\/p>\n
Yeah. That was like Randy\u2019s and Dynamic Sound. They were fully booked everyday \u2026.everyday. We were doing sessions everyday. Sometimes we hide from the promoters and the producers. For real! Like everyday!<\/p>\n
You were working too hard.<\/p>\n
Yes, sessions everyday.<\/p>\n
How do you think your sound is different from all of the other bassist\u2019s around that time? Robbie, Fully, Ranchie\u2026 What makes the Lloyd Parks sound unique?<\/p>\n
Well, I have a style where I might be playing a bassline, normal, and I do something similar \u2026 like a drumroll on the bass. I fill in those spots sometimes.<\/p>\n
I find your bass playing to be faster \u2026. I don\u2019t know if you know what I mean by that.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a different sound.<\/p>\n
It seems to suit the rockers sound more \u2026<\/p>\n
I know what you mean. Because, I try to develop a unique style. I try to be different from every other bass player.<\/p>\n
You did two or three albums on your own \u2013 singing vocals \u2026 that came out on Trojan in the U.K.. Do you miss singing?<\/p>\n
Well \u2026.<\/p>\n
I know you still sing some live \u2026.<\/p>\n
Yes, because, right now I have a CD that should be released any time.<\/p>\n
Really?<\/p>\n
People keep bothering me, say \u2018You shouldn\u2019t stop singing\u2019. But, I get so involved with the bass. I get to love it. I say, well, it\u2019s like multi-talent. I can sing. I can play bass. But, I was into the bass. But, I really and truly love singing.<\/p>\n
What label is your CD going to come out on?<\/p>\n
Well, it might be Parks label, or it might be some other \u2026 I might sub it to someone else.<\/p>\n
Where did you record it?<\/p>\n
I record it between Music Works Studio and Mixing Lab.<\/p>\n
Do you like Mixing Lab?<\/p>\n
Yeah man, it has a nice sound.<\/p>\n
Do you prefer to play bass or guitar?<\/p>\n
Bass.<\/p>\n
(laughter) I know you usually play bass, I was just wondering \u2026<\/p>\n
Because, I used to play guitar first, and then switched to bass.<\/p>\n
So you worked for a little bit for Delroy Wright \u2013 doing some stuff for the Mighty Diamonds.<\/p>\n
Delroy who?<\/p>\n
Wright.<\/p>\n
Delroy Wright \u2026 what he does?<\/p>\n
He did a couple of albums with the Mighty Diamonds \u2026 I\u2019ve forgotten the names now. This would have been in the 80\u2019s. (J.D \u2013 I think the reason why Parks does not remember his name is because those sessions were run by Al Campbell. Delroy was more of an executive producer.)<\/p>\n
Around 1978 you formed \u2018We The People\u2019 \u2026<\/p>\n
No it was in 1974.<\/p>\n
Wow, I didn\u2019t realize it has been going that long.<\/p>\n
Yeah, \u201974.<\/p>\n
Did you want to set up a touring group so you could have some control over the situation \u2013 over the membership, over what work you did? \u2026 so you could control your career more.<\/p>\n
That was not the purpose. That was just to continue. Because, like I said, I used to play with Skin, Flesh & Bones band and I shut it. I just wanted to continue with my musical career. And I say, well, the best bet to form \u2026 it wasn\u2019t specially formed to be a backing band or anything else. Because when we started we used to go places and people dance. Like a dance with a dance band.<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t see that much anymore.<\/p>\n
Oh no no.<\/p>\n
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Calling 1000 Dreadlocks \/ Young Gifted And Black \/ Legalizing \/ South Camp Road Rock \/ Meditation Rock \/ Rocking Warrior String Hanger \/ Marcus The Prophet \/ Natty Ah Sufferer I \/ Six Million Dollar Rock \/ End Of Slavery \/ Legalizing Uploaded tonight is\u00a0an extremely rare\u00a0LP entitled \u2018Calling 1000 Dreadlocks\u2019 on the very […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-links-downloads"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4777"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4789,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4777\/revisions\/4789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/killyourpetpuppy.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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