Presents an account of the history of reggae. This book describes reggae's origins and development in Jamaica, from ska to rock-steady to dub and to reggae itself, a local music which conquered the world. It relates the story of reggae to the history of Jamaica, from Colonial Island to troubled independence, and Jamaicans, from Kingston to London.



The first major account of the history of reggae, black music journalist Lloyd Bradley describes its origins and development in Jamaica, from ska to rock-steady to dub and then to reggae itself, a local music which conquered the world. There are many extraordinary stories about characters like Prince Buster, King Tubby and Bob Marley. But this is more than a book of music history: it relates the story of reggae to the whole history of Jamaica, from colonial island to troubled independence, and Jamaicans, from Kingston to London.