EVEN though the name Yabby You does not resonate among today’s generation of reggae lovers at home, across continents, especially in Europe where as far as reggae is concerned there is no generation gap — it is synonymous with music of a certain moral persuasion and deep spirituality.

In the UK, Yabby You enjoyed a somewhat cult status due to his musical output throughout the 1970s and beyond by recording a remarkable slew of roots reggae standards such as Chant Down Babylon, Judgement On The Land, Jah Vengeance, Valley of Jehosaphat, Love Thy Neighbours among many others of the same theme.

He also earned the reputation as a first-class producer of other reggae stalwarts including Willie Williams, Michael Prophet, Tony Tuff, Wayne Wade, Prince Pompado, Tapper Zukie, Clint Eastwood, Trinity, Dillinger, and the impressive list goes on.

The last two decades saw him on the decline musically as his health began to deteriorate, though he experienced something of a revival in the early 1990s with some fresh productions and remakes of many of his vintage numbers, mainly for the huge European collector’s market.

As the years progressed, Yabby You’s health issues reached to the point where he lost a leg. Born Vivian Jackson, the legendary performer/producer who acquired his stage name from the drawn-out chanting refrain on his 1992 debut single Conquering Lion (Be You, Yabby Yabby You). He took his last breath at a hospital in Clarendon, Jamaica where he has been living for some time.

The former lead vocalist for the Prophets (Alrick Forbes, Bobby Melody and the Ralph brothers) became the first reggae veteran to make his transition for 2010. Most fitting are two of his unforgettable numbers — Fleeing From The City and Jah Jah Way.

Interestingly, at about the same time Yabby You was making his departure from this life, so too was American R&B/soul singer and songwriter Teddy Pendergrass. And the international sensation Theodore DeReese Pendergrass, born 59 years ago, saw the light of day a mere four years after the 63-year-old Yabby You made his arrival on this planet. So they belong to the same generation of great entertainers although in different genres and countries.

The adoration of Teddy P by Jamaicans began when he first rose to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in the 1970s. Like Yabby You, the later part of Teddy P’s life was dogged by ill-health. In 1982, the American soulful crooner was severely injured in an auto accident in Philadelphia, resulting in his being paralysed from the waist down.

Pendergrass, who began his career as a drummer for The Cadillacs, which later merged with Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, will never be forgotten as his rich sentimental gems keep playing. They include smash hits like Life Is A Song Worth Singing, This One’s For You, Turn Off The Lights, Close The Door, Wake Up Everybody, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, just some that readily come to mind.