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Connecticut Speedworld
This Friday's (December 28) edition of "Johnny's Junk Store Jukebox" will also feature a brief tribute to legendary Jamaican singer and record producer Lloyd Charmers...
Lloyd Tyrell (aka Lloyd Charmers)
Lloyd Charmers was born in Kingston, Jamaica. His professional career began in 1962, when he performed as The Charmers with Roy Willis on Vere Johns' Talent Hour, starting a recording career soon after. When The Charmers split, he joined Slim Smith and Martin Jimmy Riley in The Uniques. Charmers subsequently moved on to a solo career, releasing two albums in 1970, and also recording x-rated tracks such as "Birth Control", and the album Censored, these more risqué outings appearing under his real name or as 'Lloydie & The Lowbites'.
He was also briefly a member of The Messengers, a short-lived supergroup also featuring Ken Boothe, B. B. Seaton and Busty Brown.
He set up his own 'Splash' record label in the early 1970s, and moved into production. Productions by him were notable for their sophisticated arrangements. With his session band, The Now Generation, he produced artists such as Ken Boothe (including some of Boothe's most successful solo releases of the period, including his cover of David Gates' "Everything I Own", B. B. Seaton, The Gaylads, and Lloyd Parks.
He later relocated to the UK where he continued to record and produce in a variety of styles, from Lovers Rock to Disco.
Charmers died on 27 December 2012, from a massive heart attack in London while driving.
Albums
- Reggae Charm (1970, Trojan Records) (with Byron Lee & the Dragonaires)
- Reggae Is Tight (1970, Trojan)
- Censored (1972, Lowbite) (as Lloydie and The Lowbites)
- Charmers In Session (1973, Trojan)
- Wildflower Original Reggae Hits (1974, Trojan)
- Too Hot To Handle (1975, Wildflower)
- Golden Days (1980, Sarge)
- Sweet Memories (1982, Echo)