Veteran reggae artist Jimmy Reid will be honoured as the first recipient of the Reggae North Living Legend Award at the inaugural Reggae North Music Awards (RNMA), set to take place in Brampton on September 29th, 2024.
Celebrating his 80th birthday and with a career spanning over 60 years, Reid shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to make music and inspire fans worldwide, with his eighth album set for release soon, marking another milestone in his enduring legacy.
In recognition of his significant contributions to reggae music in Canada, the Reggae North Music Awards is proud to honour Jimmy Reid as the first recipient of the Reggae North Living Legend Award.
Born in 1944 in Jackson, Sligoville, St. Catherine, Jamaica, Reid’s early passion for music was evident through his vocal performances at school and church. These initial performances laid the foundation for a remarkable career that has endured for over six decades.
In the late 1960s, Reid moved from rural Jamaica to the vibrant musical hub of west Kingston, where he lived with his grandmother. This relocation was pivotal, as it brought him closer to Duke Reid’s Studio, one of Jamaica’s premier recording establishments. Here, Jimmy immersed himself in the dynamic world of Jamaican music, mingling with future legends such as Eric Donaldson, Jimmy London, Max Romeo, Gregory Isaacs, and The Cables.
Reid’s early career saw him experiment with group performances, eventually joining The Beltones and later The Cables. With The Cables, he released three songs around 1972. In 1974, Reid launched his solo career with the single ‘Time Will Tell’, released on the Dawn label. The following year, seeking broader opportunities, he migrated to Canada, where he became a fixture in Toronto’s club circuit.
In Toronto, Reid formed the group Jimmy Reid & The Rocking Moments, producing the single ‘I’m So Fed Up’. Eventually, he embarked on a solo path again, achieving significant success with hits like ‘Rest Your Love on Me’, which topped the Toronto reggae charts, followed by other chart-toppers ‘Open the Door’ and ‘My Tears Are Falling’.
Reid’s debut album, ‘Are You Ready’, was released in 1984, followed by a second album in 1986, produced by Winston Richards and featuring keyboard contributions from the legendary Jackie Mittoo. His work earned him accolades, including his first Reggae Award for Best Single in 1984. Over the years, Reid garnered a total of ten Canadian Reggae Music Awards in various categories and was a nominee for the Juno Awards’ Best Reggae Recording in 2001.
Tickets for the Reggae North Music Awards show are now available at the Rose Box Office, Bramptononstage.ca, or in person at the Box Office at 1 Theatre Lane, Brampton.