Clancy Eccles, who died recently in the Spanish Town Hospital, is remembered by his peers in the music fraternity as one of the most rounded personalities in the history of the local music industry.

Clancy Eccles

"He (Clancy Eccles) is one of the pioneers, a producer who made a tremendous impact during the transition period of the music from rock steady to reggae," was how president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM) Desmond Young remembers the veteran entertainer, promoter, and producer who was honoured for his contribution by the music union.

For Derrick Harriott, himself a stalwart in the local recording business, Eccles' legacy lies in the era of the annual Christmas morning concerts for which he was one of the architects and leading promoters.

"Some of the younger producers now on the scene would often tell me, bwoy Charriot, ah from dem days mi get inspirations from watching yuh and di rest of artistes dem at Carib on the Christmas mornings shows. But Clancy was also a good producer; him produced so much hits that people don't even remember.

Hits like Lord Creator's Kingston Town, hits for King Stitt as well as the Flames," recalled Harriott who also reminded of Eccles' foray in the Festival Song Contest with a little-known entry titled Festival 68. This was the same year, Harriott entered with Tan Tan Festival.

"Clancy was one of, I would say, the second-tier producers in Jamaica. I think the first tier would include like Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Sonia Pottinger, Bunny Lee and Lee Perry. Then the second tier would include producers like Clancy and Winston "Niney" Holiness.

One thing about Clancy, his songs were professionally done and well made," said Michael Barnett of MKB Promotions, promoters of the popular Heineken Startime.

"He'll be remembered as a producer of great musical worth and outstanding productions," musicologist Bunny Goodison said. And all-school deejay, Winston "King Stitt" Sparks who recorded two of Eccles' more memorable works, Fire Corner and Vigaton 2, offered the following tribute.

"Fire Corner and Vigaton 2, two monster hits which started for me a whole string of other hits such as Herb Man Shuffle, Lee Van Cliff and Eye For An Eye."

Clancy Eccles' sterling contribution to the music business passed through many phases. It began in 1959, when as a 19-year-old singer he recorded for pioneer producer Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd his first sound system hit with the spiritual and socially strong Freedom before scoring with even bigger hits with River Jordan, Feel The Rhythm, Sweet Jamaica and Fatty Fatty. He then provided producer Leslie Kong with the hit song, Judgement.

In 1962, at a time when stage shows were mainly held on public holidays, Eccles then 22, began promoting his Christmas morning concerts, jointly with "Sir Coxsone" before branching out on his own.

He would later in the role of a talent scout start such talent search contests as Battle of the Stars and Reggae Soul Revue, out of which came stars like Barrington Levy, Leroy Smart and Culture.

During this period, Clancy Eccles, the entertainers' tailor, would design and make fashionable stage outfits for his colleagues in the business. In 2001, Eccles' trail-blazing contribution was recognised by the Kingsley Goodison-led King Omar Promotions at its annual award show and dance.

Eccles who also was no stranger to controversy, in or out of the music, was one of the architects of musical clashes, and for that he received an ugly scar on his face.

"Ever since we started it was always this sort of thing. If you are popular there is somebody to come at you," explained Eccles in a 2001 Observer interview about an ugly incident with singer Owen Gray which resulted in a bottle being thrown in his face.

"Owen Gray was my friend, but him get vex over certain things."
Widely regarded as a lifelong socialist, it has been said that Eccles was Michael Manley's advisor on Jamaican music.

In the 1972 general elections, the St Mary-born artiste/political activist played a pivotal role in the Manley-led PNP band wagon (a series of political rallies across the island) showcasing leading reggae acts such as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Delroy Wilson and the Inner Circle Band. He also co-wrote and produced what was the PNP's election anthem, My Leader Born Yah, recorded by Neville "Struggle" Martin.

"My song Freedom was the first music that was used politically in Jamaica; the song that was used by Bustamante to upset the Federation," Eccles said.

But he recorded songs which criticised both political parties including Wi Hungry Now and Dem Mash Up The Country.
Without a doubt, Clancy Eccles who died at the age of 65 was one of the most colourful personalities in the history of reggae music.

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