Hopeton Lewis

Hopeton Lewis (3 October 1947 – 4 September 2014) was a Jamaican born singer of rocksteady and reggae, an arranger, and radio music presenter.

Biography Lewis was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He sang in church from an early age, and started performing as a youth, forming a singing group called the Regals. The track was recorded with Lynn Taitt and the Jets, and is regarded as one of the first rocksteady singles. He had several more Jamaican hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the first 'herb' song ever recorded there, "Cool Collie".

He lived the later period of his life in Brooklyn, New York, where he presented a show on Grace Deliverance Radio.

Lewis died on 4 September 2014 at his home in Brooklyn, aged 66, after suffering kidney failure.

The Disciples roots reggae and dub musicians have a record label entitled Boom Shaka Laka, named in honour of, and inspired by Hopeton Lewis' song (as well as by Jah Shaka and reggae culture and history in general). The Disciples also wrote an influential roots reggae fanzine called Boom Shaka Laka, also named after the Hopeton Lewis record. The author, Lol Bell-Brown (who works for Dub Vendor) named the magazine after the Hopeton Lewis song. The first issue was released in 1988 and over the four following years the magazine became one of the most important publications to cover, for the time, the current roots scene as well as classic roots records. There were 11 issues released, of which all are sought-after collector's items.

Albums

Take It Easy (1968), Merritone Grooving Out on Life (1971), Dynamic Sounds/Trojan Dynamic Hopeton Lewis (1974), Dragon All Night Bubblin''' (1985), BossLove, Life and Music (1997), Songs 4 LifeReaching Out to Jesus (2000), OrchardCaribbean Gospel Jubilee (2000), RockstoneInner Peace (2001), Songs 4 LifeA Holy Christmas (2002), Songs 4 LifeLove Life & Music (2007), QuartzHopeton Lewis Sings Home Coming Classics (2007), Songs 4 LifeHymns (2007), Songs 4 LifeThis Is Gospel (2008), Sun Moon & StarsWorship (2008), Songs 4 LifeLay Your Hands on Me Jesus (2008), Songs 4 LifeLove Ballads Vol. One (2008), RockstonePraise and Worship (2008), Songs 4 LifeThe Inspirational Hopeton LewisCountry Gospel (2008), Songs 4 LifeHealing: 42 Years of Music (2009), Songs 4 LifeAll Island Gospel Revival, Songs 4 LifeVoice of Thanksgiving, Songs 4 LifeSong's of Faith (2013). Songs 4 Life/VPDe Word Through Music (2014), Songs 4 Life/VP

CompilationsClassic Gold Collection (1998), RockstoneTake It Easy: Rock Steady Reggae (1999), K&K/VP40 Years: Happy Birthday: Celebrating 40 Years of Music'' (2008), Songs 4 Life