It’s February and Reggae Month observations are in full swing. This year’s arrival feels particularly bittersweet as the industry mourns back-to-back losses of some of the genre’s iconic voices and musicians. In recognition of the genre that gifted us legends such as Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Alton Ellis, Bunny Wailer, and countless others, the Jamaica Observer will honour the lives and legacies of those who have transitioned.

Today, we pause to remember “Bunny Rugs”.

William Alexander Anthony Clarke, known popularly as Bunny Rugs, passed away on February 2, 2014. He was touted as one of the most iconic voices of his generation. His immense contributions to the entertainment industry were most notable during his tenure as lead vocalist for Third World. But long before he became one of the most famous faces of the band, Bunny Rugs pursued music.

Here are 10 interesting facts about the late singer on the 12th anniversary of his passing:

1) His journey began in the church pews in the capital of his home parish Manchester. According to countless articles about his career’s genesis, he first honed his vocal abilities by participating in the church choir.

2) Before committing fully to music, Bunny Rugs was a trained visual artist. He studied painting at Jamaica School of Arts and Crafts (now Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts) for over two years.

3) His professional ascent, however, came as part of Inner Circle band, where he became lead singer in 1969. In fact, he was the band’s leading vocalist before Jacob Miller, who took over the position in 1973 when Bunny Rugs moved to New York in 1973. Third World was formed some three years later.

4) During a brief hiatus in New York, USA, he spent time as a Manhattan yellow cab driver and even worked a stint on Wall Street.

5) His name is a blend of two distinct life chapters. His grandmother dubbed him “Bunny” because, as a child, he would reportedly jump around like a rabbit. The “Rugs” part was added after he joined the Third World band and the crew discovered his habit of sleeping on the floor or on rugs.

6) He worked closely with the legendary producer Lee “Scratch” Perry at Black Ark studio, recording under the name Bunny Scott. It was during these formative years that his individual brilliance caught the attention of the industry, eventually leading him to join Third World in 1976 — a move that would change the trajectory of Caribbean music forever.

7) Beyond the 10 Grammy nominations he earned with the band, Bunny Rugs was a cornerstone of Jamaica’s cultural identity and, in 2016, was posthumously recognised for his indelible impact with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class), the nation’s fifth-highest honour.

8) While his identity was inextricably linked to the iconic reggae band, Bunny Rugs’ solo discography offered a more intimate window into the man behind the microphone. Among his solo albums are
Talking To You, which was released in 1995, and
Time, released in 2012.

9) He shares a birthday with the legendary Bob Marley. Many say the February 6 date serves as a spiritual reminder of his role as a pillar in the development of reggae, helping to bridge the gap between roots and global pop.

10) His daughter, Adriana, has sought to follow in her father’s musical footsteps. In 2019 she told the
Observer that, having shied away from the spotlight because of a lack of confidence, she has since found her ‘voice’ after performing at her father’s funeral.

“It was not until he passed and I sang at both his services in Orlando, Florida, and in Kingston…from then on I noticed a shift in my voice. A confidence came that I never had before. That was when I decided that this is what I really wanted to do,” she said at the time.

Governor General Sir Patrick presents the insignia for the Order of Distinction to Bouvier Clarke on behalf of her late husband, Third World frontman William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke.

From left: Alexandria, Adriana, and Sheneka Clarke, daughters of former Third World singer William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke, at a luncheon for singer Gregory Isaacs at Terra Nova Hotel. (Photo: Steve James)

The late Bunny Rugs.