I had the privilege of meeting Dennis Brown first of all in 1983 when he was at A&M. I was nervous about photographing someone I had admiredso much over the years but he was such a sweetheart that it was one of the best and easiest shoots I ever did. Over the years I snapped DB about twenty odd times both live and in the studio. He was always really considerate compared to a lot of musicians and would always have time for people.

During the eighties I would bump into him in north London all the time and he was always interested in what was up. The first time I went to a JA sunsplash in 1985 he came over a gave me a big bag  of Jamaica’s finest. The last time I photographed him was in December of last year at my NY studio.  He came along with his little beat up acoustic guitar and I shouted out tunes and he played about ten tunes varying from No Man Is An Island, Nat King Cole’s Autumn Leaves (one of his faves), Perhaps, Ain’t That Loving You. He was in really good form and his voice was sounding really good. I should have taped it but it was one of those impromptu things. So nuff respect DB you will be very sadly missed. 

Thankfully we still have his music.

My personal Dennis faves are ‘In His Own Way’ (with Big Youth), ‘Songs My Mother Used To Sing’, ‘Promised Land’, ‘What About The Half’ and just about every tune he did before mid 80s. Anyone want to get in touch you can call me at 212-691-5565. Peace.