Keith Williams (born ), better known as Honey Boy, is a

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

singer best known for his recordings in the 1970s who is regarded as one of the pioneers of lovers rock.

Biography

Williams was born in

Saint Elizabeth Parish Saint Elizabeth, one of Jamaica's largest parishes, is located in the southwest of the island, in the county of Cornwall. Its capital, Black River, is located at the mouth of the Black River, the widest on the island. History Saint Elizabe ...

. He moved to the United Kingdom in the late 1960s, living in

Oxford Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to the ...

before settling in London. He found work as a backing vocalist with Laurel Aitken before recording his debut single "Jamaica" for Trojan in 1971 and for Junior Lincoln's Banana label, beginning with the "Homeward Bound" single. Several singles followed, credited to Honey Boy and other pseudonyms such as Happy Junior and Boy Wonder. He contributed "Jamaica" to the 1971 live album ''Trojan Reggae Party'', and his first album, ''This Is Honey Boy'', was released in 1973. In the mid-1970s he worked with former Studio One musician Winston Curtis, who had relocated to the UK and moved into production. He also recorded for

Count Shelley Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility.L. G. Pine, Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty'' ...

. With the advent of lovers rock in the mid-1970s, Honey Boy became a major figure in the scene, having several hits on the reggae charts in 1977. In 1980 he recorded the ''Arise'' album with members of Aswad. In 2002, Honey Boy was featured vocalist on "Always There" on

UB40 UB40 are an English reggae and pop band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the ...

's album ''UB40 Present the Fathers of Reggae''.

Album discography

*''This Is Honey Boy'' (1973), Count Shelley *''Sweet Cherries Impossible Love'' (1974), Cactus *''Taste of Honey'' (1975), Cactus *''Strange Thoughts'' (1976),

Trojan Trojan or Trojans may refer to: * Of or from the ancient city of Troy * Trojan language, the language of the historical Trojans Arts and entertainment Music * ''Les Troyens'' ('The Trojans'), an opera by Berlioz, premiered part 1863, part 189 ...

*''Lovers'' (1976), Third World *''Dark End of the Street'' (1978), Diamond *''Arise'' (1980), Diamond *''Love You Tonight'' (1995) *''Master Piece'' (2000) Cactus *''The Gospel and I, Pt.2'' (2007), Jet Star

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Honey Boy 1950s births Living people People from Saint Elizabeth Parish Jamaican reggae musicians Jamaican male singers