GREGORY Isaacs, the King of Lovers Rock and one of the most prolific, chart-topping mega stars in Jamaica’s musical history, will perform at Studio 38, on Sunday, in the latest instalment of the Studio 38 live music series.

Since January, lovers of vintage reggae, ska and rocksteady have been treated to mesmerising performances from such greats as Beres Hammond, John Holt, Ken Booth, Ernie Smith, Toots & The Maytals, Freddie McGregor, AJ Brown and George Nooks at Studio 38, located at the Pulse Centre on Trafalgar Road. Most have been backed by Lloyd Parks and We The People, who will also back Gregory.

The most recent performances in the Studio 38 series, from Nooks and John Holt on June 27, was a show-stopping affair from start to finish. An in-form Nooks blazed a trail so hot that only an artiste of the calibre of John Holt could follow. After his usual tantalising performance, Holt took requests from his audiences, singing many songs acapella. It was easily one of the best performances at Studio 38 to date and one the fans will long remember.

Isaacs, a veteran of the talent contests that regularly took place in Jamaica, had his first hit in 1973, My Only Love, which is credited as the first lovers rock record ever made. In the three years that followed he had a string of hits including All I Have Is Love and his first Jamaican number one single with Love Is Overdue. By the late 1970s, Isaacs was one of the biggest reggae performers in the world, regularly touring the US and the UK, and only challenged by Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. Between 1977 and 1978, Isaacs again teamed up with Alvin Ranglin, recording a string of hits including Border and Number One for Ranglin’s GG’s label.

International stardom seemed assured in 1978 when Isaacs signed to the Virgin Records offshoot Front Line Records, and appeared in the film Rockers. The Cool Ruler and Soon Forward albums, however, failed to sell as well as expected, although they are now considered among his best work. In 1981, he made his first appearance at Reggae Sunsplash (returning annually until 1991). This period saw a string of increasingly successful singles including Tune In, Permanent Lover, Wailing Rudy, and Tribute to Waddy. He signed to Island Records and in 1982 released the record that finally saw him break through to a wider audience, Night Nurse.

When his contract with island ended, Isaacs returned in 1984 with the Kool Ruler Come Again single, and began a period of prolific recording, working with several producers. Isaacs then built a strong relationship with Gussie Clarke of the Music Works label and they began with Isaacs’ 1985 album Private Beach Party, and had a massive hit with Rumours in 1988, which was followed by further popular singles including Mind Yu Dis, Rough Neck, Too Good To Be True, and Report to Me. The association with Clarke continued into the early 1990s.

Gregory Isaacs is always an act worth going miles to see. Come Sunday, July 25, his legion of fans will be in for a treat as Studio 38 welcomes this enduring icon of Jamaica’s popular music.