Tyrone Downie
Downie in 2016
Downie in 2016
Background information
Birth nameTyrone Downie
Also known asOrgan D
Born(1956-05-20)20 May 1956
Kingston, Jamaica
Died5 November 2022(2022-11-05) (aged 66)
Kingston, Jamaica
GenresReggae
Occupation(s)Arranger, pianist, musician
Instrument(s)Keyboards (piano, rhodes piano, organ, synthesizers, mellotron), guitar
Years active1970–2022

Tyrone Downie (20 May 1956 – 5 November 2022) was a Jamaican keyboardist and pianist best known for his involvement as a member of Bob Marley and The Wailers.[1]

He studied at Kingston College and joined The Wailers in the mid-1970s, making his recording debut with the band on Rastaman Vibration, having previously been a member of the Impact All Stars.[2][3] He also played with The Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru,[3] Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Junior Reid,[1] Tom Tom Club, Ian Dury, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Sly & Robbie. He resided in France and was a member of the touring band of Youssou N'Dour, whose album Remember he produced.[2]

In 1983, Grace Jones released the single "My Jamaican Guy". Unbeknown to Downie, he (though in a relationship and not romantically linked to Jones) was the subject of the song.[4]

Downie released the solo album Organ-D in 2001.[3]

Downie played keyboards on the album 'Maroon Songs: Born Free, Live Free, Ever Free' with Earl Chinna Smith's InnadeYard Binghistra Movement, released on August 17, 2022.[5]

Downie died in Kingston on 5 November 2022, at the age of 66.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Foster, Chuck (1999) Roots Rock Reggae, Billboard Books, ISBN 0-8230-7831-0, p. 66, 116
  2. 1 2 "Wailers bands carry on tradition for survival", Jamaica Gleaner, 19 July 2009, retrieved 31 October 2010
  3. 1 2 3 Moskowitz, David V. (2006) "Tyrone Downie", in Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 92-3
  4. ↑ Simon Hattenstone (17 April 2010). "Grace Jones: 'God I'm scary. I'm scaring myself'". The Guardian. www.guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Maroon Songs: Born Free, Live Free, Ever Free". Reggae-vibes.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Bob Marley and The Wailers pianist Tyrone Downie is dead". Jamaica Observer. www.jamaicaobserver.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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