General Echo
{{Use Jamaican English|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image =
| name = General Echo
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Earl Anthony Robinson
| alias =
| birth_place =
| birth_date = 8 December 1955
| death_date = {{Death-date and age|22 November 1980|8 December 1955}}
| origin = Kingston, Jamaica
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = Reggae
| occupation =
| years_active =
| label =
| website =
}}
Earl Anthony Robinson (8 December 1955 – 22 November 1980), better known as General Echo, a.k.a. Ranking Slackness,{{cite book |last=Barrow |first=Steve |author2=Dalton, Peter |title=Reggae: The Rough Guide |year=1997 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=1-85828-247-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/reggaeroughguide00barro }} was one of the first reggae deejays to move away from 'cultural' lyrics towards 'slackness' (risqué or sexually explicit lyrics).{{cite book |last=Larkin |first=Colin |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae |year= 1998 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-7535-0242-9 }}
Biography
Born in the Fletcher's Land area of Kingston, Jamaica, General Echo was regarded by some as the most original deejay since Big Youth. He had a profound influence on many of the deejays that followed, particularly in the United Kingdom.
After coming to prominence on sound systems such as Gemini, Stereo Phonic, and Ray Symbolic, he operated his own Echo Tone Hi Fi sound system, and was one of the first major artists to achieve popularity on 'yard tapes'. Echo had achieved success with "Drunken Master" for George Phang, and had a number one hit in Jamaica with "Arleen", on Winston Riley's "Stalag" rhythm, which was followed by the album The Slackest.Campbell, Howard (2012) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Tones-of-General-Echo_12954899 Tones of General Echo]", Jamaica Observer, 9 November 2012, retrieved 10 November 2012 This was followed by 12 Inches of Pleasure for producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes.
Echo was shot dead by police in Kingston, Jamaica in 1980 along with selector Flux (who also worked on his Echo Tone sound system), and Stereo Phonic owner Leon 'Big John' Johns, after they had stopped the car they were travelling in. The incident has never been satisfactorily explained. Echo's death inspired Clint Eastwood & General Saint to team up and release the "Tribute to General Echo" single.
Discography
;Albums
- People Are You Ready (1978) Ballistic (Prince Mohammed & General Echo)
- Rocking & Swing (1979) Manzie
- Slackest LP (1979) Techniques (as Ranking Slackness)
- 12 Inches of Pleasure (1980) Greensleeves
- Tribute To General Echo (1983) Mandingo
- Teacher Fe Di Class (2007) Equalizer (expanded edition of Rocking & Swing)
- Stereo Phonic Live Session (with Madoo)
;Contributing artist
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Echo, General}}
Category:Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica
Category:Jamaican reggae musicians
Category:Greensleeves Records artists
Category:People shot dead by law enforcement officers in Jamaica