Garth Dennis
{{Short description|Jamaican musician (1949–2021)}}
{{confused|Gareth Dennis}}
{{Use Jamaican English|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Garth Dennis
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Rudolph Alando Dennis
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1949|12|02}}
| birth_place = Kingston, Jamaica
| origin =
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2021|12|09|1949|12|02}}
| death_place = Ontario, California, U.S.
| genre = Reggae
| occupation =
| instrument =
| years_active = 1972–2021
| label = Greensleeves, Mesa
| website =
}}
Rudolph "Garth" Dennis (2 December 1949 – 9 December 2021) was a Jamaican musician who was a founder member of Black Uhuru, later a member of The Wailing Souls for ten years before returning to Black Uhuru in the mid-1980s, and also recorded as a solo artist.
Life and career
Dennis was born on 2 December 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica.{{Cite web|title=Garth Dennis Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/garth-dennis-mn0001686405|access-date=2021-12-14|website=AllMusic|language=en}} He grew up in Trenchtown, and became friends with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer.{{Cite news|date=2021-12-11|title=Garth Dennis of reggae band Black Uhuru dies at 72|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-garthdennis-idUSKBN2IQ0J2|access-date=2021-12-12}} His older sister, Joanne, had a hit in Jamaica in 1964 with "You're Wondering Now", as part of the duo Andy & Joey (with Reuben Anderson)."[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/all-eyes-on-garth_173488?profile=1116 All eyes on Garth Dennis]", Jamaica Observer, 29 August 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019 He formed Black Uhuru in 1972 with Don Carlos and Duckie Simpson.Moskowitz, David V. (2005) Caribbean Popular Music, Greenwood Press, {{ISBN|978-0313331589}}, p. 33 After the group's early releases Dennis left, going on to join the Wailing Souls in the mid-1970s, staying with them during their successful Channel One era.Prahlad, Sw. Anand (2001) Reggae Wisdom: Proverbs in Jamaican Music, University Press of Mississippi, {{ISBN|978-1578063192}}, p. 216
When the core members of the Wailing Souls moved back to Jamaica in 1985 after a period in the United States, Dennis stayed behind, but later returned to Jamaica to rejoin the re-formed original lineup of Black Uhuru.Pareles, Jon et al (eds.) (1997) "Black Uhuru" in The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll, Pocket Books, {{ISBN|978-0684810447}} With Black Uhuru, Dennis recorded the Grammy-nominated 1991 album Now and three further albums (along with dub versions). When Simpson left the group, Dennis and Carlos continued as Black Uhuru until December 1997, but Simpson also claimed the name, winning a legal case in 1998.Borzillo, Carrie (1995) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=5AsEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22garth+dennis%22&pg=PA11 Black Uhuru Members Tangle With Label and With Each Other]", Billboard, 29 April 1995, p. 11. Retrieved 30 August 2015Oumano, Elena (1998) "[https://books.google.com/books?id=mQ4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22garth+dennis%22&pg=PA14 Simpson Victorious in Black Uhuru Suit]", Billboard, 18 April 1998, p. 14. Retrieved 30 August 2015
In 2008 Dennis returned to the Wailing Souls."[http://old.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081007/ent/ent5.html The 'Souls' Reunite]", Jamaica Gleaner, 7 October 2008. Retrieved 30 August 2015
His first solo album, Trenchtown 19 3rd Street, which featured Sly Dunbar and Carlton "Santa" Davis, was released in February 2015.Campbell, Howard (2015) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Garth-Dennis-goes-back-to-Trench-Town_19226254 Garth Dennis Goes Back to Trench Town] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725063331/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Garth-Dennis-goes-back-to-Trench-Town_19226254 |date=25 July 2018 }}", Jamaica Observer, 30 August 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015 His second solo album was due for release in early 2020.
Dennis died from complications of pneumonia on 9 December 2021 at Kaiser Hospital in Ontario, California. He was 72 years old.{{Cite web|last=Campbell|first=Howard|date=13 December 2021|title=Garth Dennis, former Black Uhuru member, dies at 72|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/garth-dennis-former-black-uhuru-member-dies-at-72_238726?profile=1116|access-date=2021-12-14|website=Jamaica Observer}}
Discography
=Solo=
==Albums==
==Singles==
=with the Wailing Souls=
- Wild Suspense (1979),{{Cite web|title=The Wailing Souls - Wild Suspense - Credits|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-suspense-mw0000176154/credits|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Allmusic}} Mango
- Wailing (1981), Jah Guidance{{Cite web|last=Veal|first=Michael E.|date=2017-03-19|title=Wailing Souls: Wailing|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/23024-wailing/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}
- Fire House Rock (1981),{{Cite web|title=The Wailing Souls - Fire House Rock - Credits|website=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fire-house-rock-mw0000413586/credits|access-date=2021-12-15}} Greensleeves
- Soul & Power (1981), Studio One
- Inchpinchers (1982), Greensleeves
- Baby Come Rock (1983), Joe Gibbs Music
- On The Rocks (1983), Greensleeves
- Stranded (1984), Greensleeves
= with Black Uhuru =
- Now (1991), Mesa/Rhino
- Now Dub (1991), Mesa
- Iron Storm (1992), Mesa
- Iron Storm Dub (1992), Mesa
- Mystical Truth (1992), Mesa
- Mystical Truth Dub (1993), Mesa
- Live (1993), Sonic Sounds
- Strongg (1994), Mesa
- Strongg Dub (1994), Mesa
References
{{Reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dennis, Garth}}
Category:Jamaican male singers
Category:Jamaican reggae singers