Forty years ago when Little John kicked off his career, aspiring singers came up through the ranks doing the sound system rounds. He could not have asked for a better introduction.

“Singing pon a ‘sound’ come in like going to an academy. Yuh do yuh studies an’ it jus’ get better ’cause practice makes perfect,” said the burly vocalist.

Little John, 55, still works the sound system beat with Romantic, which he started in the early 1980s in his hometown of Three Miles, Kingston. He also makes appearances on the vaunted Stur Gav, owned by influential deejay U Roy.

On May 18, he is one of the dancehall veterans down to perform at Portland Sound Splash at Innis Beach Club in that parish.

Little John and fellow singer Tristan Palmer are proteges of singer/producer Sugar Minott. In addition to recording for Minott, they were regulars on his Youthman Promotions sound system.

Known for songs such as True Confession and Clarks Booty, Little John said going to dances early in his career helped him develop as a singer. When it came for time to record, he was already well-rehearsed.

“It definitely help yuh vocally, ’cause when yuh go studio yuh don’t waste nuh time. Yuh jus’ go straight in an’ do yuh thing,” he said.

During his heyday in the 1980s, Little John (real name John McMorris) was affiliated with Kilamanjaro and Volcano sound systems, two of the hottest names in dancehall. Volcano was owned by Henry “Junjo” Lawes, a colourful figure who operated a music label of the same name.

Little John toured the United States and United Kingdom with Volcano, which at its peak also had Yellowman and Barrington Levy in its ranks.

“Volcano was di mother of all sound systems, wi used to go all over di place. Dat tek mi career to another level,” Little John stated.

A number of Little John’s contemporaries are on Portland Sound Splash, which is a joint production between deejay/producer Tappa Zukie, guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith and singer Paul “Natty Pablo” McKenzie.

Deejays Peter Metro; General Trees and Josey Wales; Luciano; Sizzla; Tony Tuff and Danny Dread; the King Jammys; Metro Media and Bass Odyssey sound systems and Ilawi of Jah Love, will also be on show.