Biography of Laurel Aitken

Though born in Cuba, Laurel Aitken played a pivotal role in helping break Jamaican music internationally. He moved to Jamaica from Cuba in the '50s, then came to England in the '60s. Aitken's recording "Boogie in My Bones" was the first Jamaican single issued in England in 1958. Aitken's debut Bluebeat label release, "Boogey Rock," was released two years later. More importantly, his evolution from an imitative R&B vocalist to a premier ska and reggae singer influenced many ska, bluebeat, and reggae vocalists. Aitken recorded hundreds of singles, ranging from incendiary protest to sentimental romance and crass sexual innuendo. He continued performing with his band, the Full Circle, well into the '80s. ~ Ron Wynn