Derrick Morgan

Derrick Morgan OD (born 27 March 1940) is a Jamaican musician who was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He worked with Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley, and Jimmy Cliff in the rhythm and blues and ska genres, and he also performed rocksteady and skinhead reggae.

Biography In 1957, Morgan entered the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, a talent show held at the Palace Theatre in Kingston. He won with rousing impressions of Little Richard and, shortly after that, was recruited to perform around the island with the popular Jamaican comedy team Bim and Bam. He also found time to record for Coxsone Dodd. Among those hits were "Don't Call Me Daddy", "In My Heart", "Be Still", and "Meekly Wait and Murmur Not". But it was the following year that Morgan released the biggest hit of his career, the Leslie Kong production of "Don't You Know", later retitled "Housewives' Choice" by a local DJ. The song featured a bouncing ska riddim, along with a duet by Morgan and Millicent "Patsy" Todd.

"Housewives' Choice" began the rivalry between Morgan and Prince Buster, who accused Morgan of stealing his ideas. Buster quickly released "Blackhead Chiney Man", chiding Morgan with the sarcastic put-down "I did not know your parents were from Hong Kong" – a swipe at Kong. Morgan returned with the classic "Blazing Fire", in which he warns Buster to "Live and let others live, and your days will be much longer. You said it. Now it's the Blazing Fire". Buster shot back with, "Watch It Blackhead", which Morgan countered with "No Raise No Praise" and "Still Insist". Followers of the two artists often clashed, and eventually the government had to step in with a staged photo shoot depicting the rivals as friends. In 1969 Morgan recorded the skinhead anthem "Moon Hop" (on Crab Records). However, failing eyesight then forced him to give up regular stage appearances. In 2007, Morgan appeared on the bill at the annual Augustibuller music festival. His song "Tougher Than Tough" was featured in the video game Scarface: The World is Yours.

Morgan continued to perform occasionally at ska revival shows across the world,

Morgan headlined the Supernova International Ska Festival, in Fredericksburg, Virginia from 27 to 28 May 2017.

Discography Albums Seven Letters (1969) Derrick Morgan in London (1969) Moon Hop (1970) Feel So Good (1975) (featuring Hortense Ellis) People's Decision (1977) Still in Love (1977) (also featuring Hortense Ellis) Sunset at Moonlight City Love City The Legend of Derrick Morgan (1980) I Am the Ruler (1992) – Trojan Records Tougher Than Tough (Rudie in Court) (1992) The Conquering Ruler (and the Sensational Yebo) (1994) – Pork Pie Records Ska Man Classics (1995) Ska Man Classics (1997) 21 Hits Salute (1997) Meets the High Notes Live (2003) Moon Hop: Best of the Early Years 1960–69 (2003) Derrick:Top the Top (2003) Derrick Meets the High Notes (2004) Shake A Leg (2014) Storybook Revisited (2019)

Singles Morgan released nearly 200 singles in the UK, and more than 250 in Jamaica. These include: "The Hop" / "Tell It To Me", 7-inch: Island WI 006, UK, 1962 "Forward March" / "Please Don't Talk About Me", 7-inch: Island WI 011, UK, 1962 "See The Blind" / "Cherry Home", 7-inch: Island WI 013, UK, 1962 "I Am The Ruler" / "I Mean It" Pyramid 1968 "No Dice" / "I Mean It" Pyramid 1968 "Fat Man" / "South Parkway Rock" Trojan TR 626 UK, 1968 Singles on Crab Records

"Moon Hop" – 1969 – UK No. 49 * "River to the Bank" / "Reggae Limbo", 7-inch (B side – Peter King) "Seven Letters" / "Lonely Heartaches", 7-inch (B side – The Tartons) "The First Taste of Love" / "Dance All Night", 7-inch "Don't Play That Song" / "How Can I Forget You", 7-inch "Mek It Tan Deh" / "Gimme Back", 7-inch "Send Me Some Loving" / "Come What May", 7-inch "Hard Time" / "Death Rides A Horse", 7-inch (B Side – Roy Richards) "Man Pon Moon" / "What A Thing", 7-inch "Moon Hop" / "Harris Wheel", 7-inch (B Side – Reggaeites) "A Night at the Hop" / "Telephone", 7-inch "Oh Baby" / The Rat", 7-inch (B Side – The Thunderbirds) "Need To Belong" / "Let's Have Some Fun", 7-inch (with Jennifer Jones) "I Wish I Was An Apple" / "The Story", 7-inch "Take A Letter Maria" / "Just A Little Loving", 7-inch (with Owen Gray) "Rocking Good Way" / "Wipe These Tears", 7-inch (with Jennifer Jones) "My Dickie" / "Brixton Hop", 7-inch "I Can't Stand It No Longer" / "Beyond The Wall", 7-inch "Endlessly" / "Who's Making Love", 7-inch "Hurt Me" / "Julia", 7-inch "Searching So Long" / "Drums of Passion", 7-inch