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Don Drummond

Don Drummond & The Skatalites

About Me

Born in Kingston in 1943 Drummond's music career began early, playing trombone with the Eric Deans All-Stars and various other artists & groups. With the birth of ska Don became one of the original members of the The Skatalites and was a household name in Jamaica. He composed many songs for The Skatalites, two of which made it to the UK top 10 in the mid 1960's (Man In The Street & Guns Of Navarone). With over 200 songs under his belt he was considered the busiest man in ska music. Drummond was plagued by mental problems but kept going strong with his music until he was convicted of murdering his 23 year old girlfriend Anita Mahfood in 1965. He was sent to Belle Vue Asylum where he died in 1969 with suicide being the official cause. Many conspiracies surround Drummonds death, including a theory that he was beaten to death by guards working for an anti-rasta government. Another theory involves gangsters who were involved with Mahfood's father. Drummond's legacy lives on as being the godfather of Jamaican ska.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/16/2006
Band Members: Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Lester Sterling, Don Drummond, Jah Jerry Haynes, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Moore, Jackie Opel, Doreen Shaffer, Cedric 'Im Brooks, Vin Gordon, Devon James, Ken Stewart, Kevin Batchelor
Sounds Like: Laurel Aitken, Alton Ellis, Desmond Dekker, The Ethiopians, Prince Buster, Ernest Ranglin, Symarip, Toots & the Maytals, Roland Alphonso, Lord Tanamo, Tommy McCook, Al Campbell, Justin Hinds & The Dominoes, Eric Morris
Type of Label: None