Summer has been a busy period for reggae artistes for 40 years. Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, Burning Spear and Peter Tosh were some of the music’s pioneer road warriors. Today, the Jamaica Observer continues its series looking at artistes, booking agents and shows active during this period.

When George Nooks hit big with Tribal War in 1978, not many mainstream listeners knew the song was originally done by Little Roy. It was a similar story 11 years later when Freddie McGregor topped charts with Prophecy.

Based in the United Kingdom for many years, Little Roy has always relished his underground status. Songs like Tribal War, Prophecy and Jah Can Count On Me have won him thousands of fans throughout Europe.

On July 1, he kicks off his 50th-anniversary tour with a show in Lambeth (south London). This will be followed by more UK dates as well as bookings in Denmark.

Little Roy told the Jamaica Observer that his audience varies “depending on events”. “Rock concerts with thousands. Festivals and small clubs up close and personal,” he added.

Though he has been recording since the late 1960s, the Whitfield Town-born artiste (real name Earl Lowe) never toured until late 1991, when he went on the road with Gregory Isaacs.

Recently, Little Roy toured Sweden with singer Marx Gallo and the Hilltown Syndicate. He also released a new song, What About The Children and is promoting the compilation album, Blessed 1969-1979.

Little Roy is managed by Pauline Stephenson of Magnetic Energy Promotions and Production.