Circa 1915 – early 1975
Arthur Reid aka Duke Reid ran one of the most popular sound systems of the 50s, called Duke Reid’s ‘The Trojan.’
In the 1960s, Reid founded the record label Treasure Isle, named after his liquor store that produced legendary ska and rocksteady music.
Sound System operator, former policeman and liquor store owner Duke ‘The Trojan’ Reid, perhaps has been the single biggest influence on the development of Jamaican music after his rival Coxsone Dodd.
At the beginning of the 70s he single-handedly created a new form of deejaying, cutting slices with U-Roy. He recorded every one of substance, who was in the business at that time. Duke Reid became seriously ill in 1974 and was diagnosed with cancer. He sadly passed away in early 1975, leaving behind an extensive musical legacy. At the time of his death, his catalogue was tremendous, with hits after hits.
Hits include…
- “Duke’s Cookies”
- “What Makes Honey”
- “So Long Rastafari Call I”
- …Treasure Isle hits too numerous to mention