June 29, 1946 – January 29, 2006
Brent Dowe made his mark on Jamaican popular music as lead singer with the Melodians, one of the most consistently popular harmony groups of the 1960s and 70s. He also enjoyed a prosperous solo career.
Born in St. James, Dowe came to Kingston, where he participated in the weekly Friday evening concerts at Trench Town Comprehensive High School. Later on he became part of the Skatalites. His first recording was “Lay It On” for Studio One.
Dowe’s biggest hits came with top producers Coxsone Dodd, Sonia Pottinger, Duke Reid and Leslie Kong. Kong produced his best hit ever…”Rivers of Babylon”
Hits include:
- “Rivers of Babylon”
- “Lay It On”
- “Close To You”
- …and others