Tyrone Downie Lifeless: Reggae Musicians Bear in mind Bob Marley Keyboardist

Keyboardist Tyrone Downie, additionally recognized affectionately as Jumpy and Organ D, died on Nov. 5 in a Kingston, Jamaica hospital. He was 66.

He touched all of our lives together with his magical type, acting on music by Taj Mahal, Metal Pulse, Peter Tosh, The Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Junior Reid, Tom Tom Membership, Ian Dury, Burning Spear, Alpha Blondy and Sly & Robbie. 

But it surely was his time within the Wailers that helped change the sound of contemporary music by including otherworldly dimensions and texture to Bob Marley’s sensible songs.

Tyrone was born and grew up in Kingston the place he started hanging out and doing session work in most of the metropolis’s seminal studios. He joined The Wailers within the mid-Nineteen Seventies, making his recording début with the band on Rastaman Vibration. 

“Tyrone and I each grew up in West Kingston however discovered our manner into music with the Barrett Brothers (the Wailers rhythm part) in East Kingston,” says fellow keyboardist Touter Harvey, who additionally performed with Bob Marley’s Wailers. “On the rehearsal of the final Bob Marley and the Wailers tour, I handed by way of and jammed for awhile. Bob was amazed on the sound that the 2 of us [Tyrone and I] created.”

The music enterprise was nonetheless in its infancy when Tyrone and Touter have been developing — the latter revealing that the 2 had “just lately spoke of how we have been taken benefit of by a few of the producers and artists with whom we carried out on account of our lack of information and our enthusiasm.” Nonetheless, provides Touter: “Tyrone has laid a strong basis together with his physique of labor on which future generations of musicians can construct.“

Al Anderson, who performed guitar within the Wailers, remembers these touring days, too. “Tyrone and I have been tight for a few years and we used to share rooms at first on tour as there was not sufficient cash for our personal rooms,” Al says. “Even Household Man Barrett and Carlton Barrett shared rooms.”

He credit Tyrone for the tune “Rastaman Vibration.” “We have been strolling to the rehearsal studio and Tyrone mentioned, ‘Rastaman Vibration’. Bob mentioned ‘Constructive,’” says Al. “Tyrone mentioned that sounds prefer it may very well be a tune. So that they went into the the studio and wrote it!”

Lee Jaffe, whose images could be seen right here, labored with Bob Marley and performed harmonica with the Wailers. He first met Tyrone within the early Nineteen Seventies. “I first noticed — and heard — Tyrone at an uptown membership in a New Kingston resort,” Lee remembers. “He was 17 years previous and taking part in in the home band. The band was good — taking part in largely reggae covers of U.S. songs — however what was wonderful was the keyboard participant. He was simply excellent — mesmerizing — and together with his cherub-looking smile whereas taking part in he seemed even youthful than his 17 years. It was evident to me that he was a prodigy.”

Lee had Marley’s ear and used it. “The subsequent evening, I insisted to Bob Marley that he examine him out,” he says. “Bob with out hesitation went as much as him after his gig and provided him a job with the Wailers. His immense expertise ultimately led to him turning into the band’s musical director.”

Tyrone would later transfer to France the place he carried out as a a member of the touring band for Youssou N’Dour.

Provides Junior Marvin, lead guitarist of the Wailers: “Tyrone was a really gifted musician and will likely be drastically missed.”

Relaxation in peace, oh Nice One.