Winston Riley’s estate intact

Son says producer made a will before dying

Friday, January 27, 2012

DISC Jock and radio personality Kurt 'The Party Animal' Riley found out the breadth and depth of his father's contribution to reggae music only two years ago.

For Riley, his father, late reggae music pioneer and producer, Winston Riley was "simply daddy".

For the younger Riley the 'aha' moment came as he read the line notes of the 2009 release of Winston Riley Quintessential Techniques — a 36-track, double CD reggae anthology, distributed by VP Records.

"I was reading all these things that people had written about my father and how he was being described. Some of the things they said, I did not even know — [they] made him seem like a superhero. Although I knew he was an artiste and producer, it was really, really overwhelming and brought home to me how great he really was," a sombre Riley tells Splash.

He notes that this realisation, and the death of his father a week ago, has cemented his determination to protect his father's legacy.

Using the famous Malcolm X statement "by any means necessary," the younger Riley noted that along with other members of the Riley family, plans are being put in place to ensure that his father's estate is protected. "There is a will and we are currently in dialogue with his attorney to ensure that everything moves as smoothly as possible, and do what has to be done to protect and continue this legacy of great music."

He adds that as part of the continuum, the Techniques label — founded by his father in the late 1960s — will be continued as well as the other operations at the late Riley's Orange Street base in the heart of downtown Kingston. "We must protect what our father has built, and although we were not prepared to take over the reins at this time, we simply cannot drop the ball," he stressed.

Meanwhile, a date is still to be confirmed for the funeral service. Next Saturday, February 4, is being considered, but the younger Riley says that is still to de confirmed and is dependent on the availability of the Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street in Kingston.

Winston Riley first stepped into the spotlight as a member of The Techniques, originally featuring Slim Smith, Franklyn White and Frederick Waite, and later including Pat Kelly. The string of Techniques' hits include, You Don't Care, Queen Majesty, I Wish It Would Rain, It's You I Love, and Love Is Not a Gamble.

Winston Riley was to then shift gears and move into production. Here he would succeed in the rocksteady, roots reggae and early years of dancehall music.

His Stalag riddim, which spawned General Echo's Arleen, Sister Nancy's Bam Bam and Ring the Alarm by Tenor Saw, has gone on to become one of the most sampled riddims out of Jamaica. Stalag, released in 1973, with its distinctive bass line, is said to have provided music for an estimated 400 songs.

Kurt Riley notes that his father's work has undoubtedly influenced his appreciation for the music. He says the sheer hard work put in by the pioneers to conceptualise, develop and showcase Jamaican music makes him treat the music with respect. "I don't just do it for the money, but rather for a genuine love for our music."

— Richard Johnson

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Winston Riley’s estate intact