Lloyd Parks

Born on 26^th May 1948, Waltham Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica, Lloyd Parks was set on a musical career from an early age and upon completing his studies toured the north coast of Jamaica, performing on stage in his uncle’s mento band. He later joined the up-and-coming band, the RHT Invincibles band, playing bass alongside such luminaries as Ansel Collins, Sly Dunbar and Bertram ‘Ranchie’ McLean.

During the 60s he also teamed up with Kingston-based singer, Wentworth Vernal to form the Termites, with the pair subsequently enjoying a series of popular singles for Studio One producer Coxson Dodd, who in 1967 issued their ‘Rock Steady With The Termites’ album. Among the best-known singles from this period were ‘Do It Right Now’, ‘Have Mercy Mr Percy’, ‘My Last Love’ and the legendary ‘Rub Up Push Up’.

By the close of the 1960s, the Termites were recording for Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, but after cutting ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ for the producer, the duo split. Lloyd was subsequently drafted into the Techniques to replace Pat Kelly, singing alongside Dave Barker and the group’s producer, Winston Riley.

Lloyd’s solo debut was the boss sounds favourite, ‘Feel A Little Better’ for Harry J (which fared even better a few years later as ‘Officially’), after which he cut ‘Say You Love Me’ for Winston Riley and played bass for the producer on Dave & Ansel Collins‘ international hits ‘Double Barrel’ and ‘Monkey Spanner’. Later works included the impressive ‘Stars’ and the recording that won him international acclaim  ‘Slaving’. The song’s enduring popularity was illustrated by subsequent fine DJ cuts by I Roy (‘Black Man Time’)and Big Youth (‘Honesty’).

By now, the RHT Invincibles had evolved into Skin Flesh & Bones, and Lloyd’s early 70s work with the group included a popular cover version of Neil Diamond‘s ‘Solitary Man’ and ‘Here I Am Baby’, on which they were fronted by the group’s regular lead singer during this time, Irving ‘Al’ Brown.

Lloyd continued making solo recordings for a variety of producers throughout the early 1970s, with their number including Glen Brown and ‘Prince’ Tony Robinson, but in 1973 he finally launched his own Parks label, with releases initially distributed from the latter’s TR International outlet.

Among his self produced Jamaican hits over the next few years were the huge smashes ‘Officially’, ‘Mafia’, ‘Girl In The Morning’ and ‘Baby Hang Up The Phone’, with these and much of his other work seeing issue in the UK via Trojan, which released you have his long players: ‘Officially’, ‘Girl In The Morning’ and ‘Loving You’.

Around the mid 70s, Skin Flesh and Bones had evolved into Joe Gibbs’ in house band, the Professionals, who performed on classic hits backing Culture, Dennis Brown, Prince Far I and Trinity. Through working with Gibbs, Lloyd also appeared on his second UK chart topper, ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ by teenage duo Althea & Donna, while the group’s instrumental talents showcased on the highly acclaimed ‘African Dub’ series of albums,

In 1978, Lloyd formed the We The People Band, recording and touring principally with Dennis Brown although he also found time to re-record the ever popular ‘Officially’, which was released inna discomix style featuring DJ Ray I.

Throughout this time and into the early 90s he continued to combine session work, singing and touring with the same band, with one particularly notable tour including fellow Studio One veterans Freddie McGregor and Marcia Griffiths. In addition, he maintained his career as a singer, revisiting ‘The Wonder Of You’, which he produced in tandem with Sydney Crooks for Joe Gibbs.

On 25^th October 1999 Lloyd was awarded the Order Of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music, and while demand for his session work dropped off as the digital era blossomed, he continued to tour throughout the noughties.

In 2007 his work was introduced to a new generation of music fans, after his recording of ‘We’ll Get Over It’ was sampled on Keith Murray’s popular single, ‘Hustle On’.

Since then, Lloyd has continued to work with more recent highlights including his acclaimed ‘Lloyd Parks Sing The Techniques’ performance at a rock steady reunion concert and his contributions to the Inna De Yard collective’s ‘Soul Of Jamaica’ album performing, ‘Slaving’ and ‘Money For Jam’.

STEPHEN NYE