Winston Francis

Winston Francis (born 1943) aka Mr Fix It is a Jamaican singer whose career began in the 1960s.

Biography Born in Kingston in 1943, Francis served an apprentice as a printer before relocating to Miami at the age of 16. He attended music school, and his teacher Chuck Bird arranged for him to perform with the Jackie Gleason Orchestra in front of Spiro Agnew in 1965. This was followed by a second album, California Dreaming in 1970, with the title track released as a single and chosen as 'Hit Pick of the Week' for two weeks running by Tony Blackburn on his BBC Radio 1 show. The single's B-side, "Too Experienced", featured backing vocals from Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer.

After a period of inactivity, Francis returned to recording in the early 1980s, releases including the Roy Cousins-produced Just Once. After a break from music when he worked as a youth worker and social worker, he returned in 1987 as a backing vocalist for The Melodians and began working with Trevor Star and the Skaticians.

Discography

Albums Mr. Fix-It (1969), Coxsone California Dreaming (1971), Bamboo Reggae Party (1978), Don't Stop Music Just Once (1983), Tamoki-Wambesi Ragga Love (1992), Metronome Sweet Rock Steady (1997), LKJ Records LTD Nostalgia Transcends Vol.1 (1997), Aquarius Feel Good All Over (2004), Jet Star Peace, Love & Harmony (2007), Soulove Records Someone Special (2010), World Sound Music Just in Time (2015), Grover Records Unfinished Business (2024), Tamoki-Wambesi-Dove

Compilations Mr. Fix-It/California Dreaming

as Billy Cole

Woman (197?), Recreational And Educational Enterprises

as King Cool

King Cool (1994), Disques Vogue His Majesty Requests (1995), BMG France

Francis & Franklin Stand Firm (2003), Definite

DVD Winston Francis Meets Rude Rich and the High Notes (2008)