Josey Wales
Born Joseph Winston Sterling in West Kingston, Jamaica. Under the name of Josey Wales, taken from the Clint Eastwood Western 'The Outlaw', he first performed with the Roots Unlimited Sound System in 1977 later joining U-Roy's King SturGav Hi-Fi Sound System, where he established his DJ credentials alongside Charlie Chaplin. Josey Wales' first releases were live recordings issued by producer Bunny Roots. His first studio recordings were for a pioneer of the dancehall, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, entitled 'Baby Come Home' and the breakthrough hit 'Let Go Mi Hand' both released on the Volcano label in 1983. A debut album, 'The Outlaw Josey Wales', was promptly released. Firmly established as one of Jamaica's top DJs, other releases followed including a shared album with Yellowman, 'Two Giants Clash' and the self-produced 'No Way No Better Than Yard'.
Moving to King Jammys in 1985 produced further hits including 'Nah Lef Ya', 'Right Move', 'It's Raining' and 'Water Come A Mi Eye'. King Jammy released several Josey Wales' albums including 'Special Prayer', 'Cowboy Style', 'Nah Lef Jamaica' and was responsible for bringing Shabba Ranks into the Jammys camp.
Despite the prevalence of gun talk and slackness in the dancehalls, Josey Wales maintained his Rastarian point of view and kept active, recording for the likes of Gussie Clarke, Tappa Zukie, Philip "Fatis" Burrell, George Phang and Bobby Digital during this decade. In 1997 Josey Wales was robbed and shot at a Kingston bar. Surviving the incident, he revitalized his recording career by having hits with 'Who Shot The Colonel' and 'Bushwacked' later reuniting with Charlin Chaplin, Brigadier Jerry and U-Roy on King SturGav Hi Fi Sound System on tour in 1998.
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