South Vietnam
1966 · Island WI-3000 · Jamaica
- Artist
- Roy Richards
- Title
- South Vietnam
- Release
- South Vietnam / You Must Be Sorry
- Year
- 1966
- Label
- Island # WI-3000
- Format
- 7" · Single
- Language
- Instrumental
- Country
- Jamaica
- Genre
- Reggae · Ska · Reggae
- Primary theme
- Home Front Perspective / Soldier's Perspective
Annotation
Roy Richards (aka Leroy Richards), born in 1941, in Jamaica released the instrumental ska song "South Viet Nam" (Island Records # WI-3000). The title does not show a pro or anti approach to the war, but released in 1967, it displays the prominence of the issue. It could also mean that records with "Vietnam" in the title, or those referring to other events and topical issues, sold well in the market. (1) He was discovered by Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd of the famous reggae label Studio One. (2)
Annotation by Justin A. Brummer
About the artist
Roy Richards (Leroy Richards, born 9 November 1941 in Clarksonville, St. Ann, Jamaica; died 25 May 2007 in Saint Ann) was a Jamaican vocalist and harmonica player, blind from birth, performing from age seven. He recorded with Roy & Paulette, with Enid Cumberland of Keith & Enid, and with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, working largely in the Studio One/Coxsone orbit, where "South Vietnam" - a mid-1960s harmonica instrumental - sits in his confirmed Discogs discography. [Source: Discogs]