Bob Andy

Bob Andy

Also known as: Bob, Keith Anderson

Keith Anderson CD (28 October 1944 - 27 March 2020), better known by the stage name Bob Andy, was a Jamaican reggae vocalist and songwriter. He was widely regarded as one of reggae's most influential songwriters.

Early life
Anderson was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in October 1944, where his mother worked at Up-Park Camp. At the age of seven he moved to live with his grandmother in Westmoreland. After his grandmother died, his mother gave him away, and he was subject to beatings at the hands of his adoptive parents. After several years he returned to Kingston to help look after one of his siblings, but to escape beatings from his mother, he tried to get a place at Maxfield Park children's home by telling them that his mother had died. They both ended up in court, where he was made a ward of the state and returned to Maxfield Park. At the home, he taught himself to play piano, and began singing in the Kingston Parish Church choir. In the local scout troop he met Tyrone Evans, with whom he formed the Binders.

Career
Bob Andy was one of the founding members of The Paragons, along with Tyrone Evans and Howard Barrett, with John Holt later joining briefly before being replaced by Vic Taylor. Andy left after Holt rejoined and worked for Studio One delivering records and songwriting before embarking on a solo career. His first solo hit record in 1967, "I've Got to Go Back Home", was followed by "Desperate Lover", "Feeling Soul", "Unchained", and "Too Experienced". He also composed songs for other reggae artists, including "I Don't Want to See You Cry" for Ken Boothe, and "Feel Like Jumping", "Truly", and "Melody Life" for Marcia Griffiths. He had several hits in the late 1960s, including "Going Home", "Unchained", "Feeling Soul", "My Time", "The Ghetto Stays in the Mind", and "Feel the Feeling". Some of these, and his 1992 hit, "Fire Burning", have come to be regarded as reggae standards and several have been covered several times by other artists. In the early 1970s, he recorded with Marcia Griffiths as Bob and Marcia, initially for Studio One, but later under producer "Harry J" Johnson's tutelage. They had a major hit in the UK with "Young, Gifted and Black" (with orchestral backing added for the UK market) and spent time there promoting it, touring with Elton John and Gilbert O'Sullivan. When the tour ended they were still not getting any money, and were told by people in England that Harry J had got the cash. They returned to Jamaica. Andy said "when we left Jamaica, Harry J did not have a studio. When we came back, he had a studio and a brand new Benz." He continued without Johnson's involvement and returned to the UK, where he recorded "Pied Piper" with Griffiths and they toured again. "Pied Piper" gave them another top 20 hit, but the duo was dissolved when Griffiths joined the I Threes. Disillusioned with the industry, in 1978 Andy put his music career on hold and after taking up creative dancing with the National Dance Theatre Company, concentrated on his career as an actor, starring in the films Children of Babylon in 1980, and The Mighty Quinn (1989). He relocated to London, where he worked as a producer and recorded with Mad Professor, for whom he recorded a dub version of his Song Book album. Later, Andy moved to Miami. In 1997 he released a new album, Hangin' Tough, produced by Willie Lindo. Andy toured Africa for the first time in 2005, performing at the Bob Marley 60th birthday concert in Addis Ababa, and while in Ethiopia also sang at the President's Palace and gave benefit concerts for the Twelve Tribes organization at the Rastafari movement settlement at Shashamane. The Jamaican government conferred the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) on Andy in October 2006 for his contributions to the development of Jamaican music. In March 2015, Andy was mugged on Mona Road in St. Andrew and robbed of JA$50,000 and two cellphones, the assailant slashing his left arm with a knife in the attack. The late Michael Prophet cited Andy as his main influence as a singer. Andy died of pancreatic cancer on 27 March 2020, aged 75.

Albums (8)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Song Book Bob Andy Song Book SOL 1121 LP Studio 1 1970
Young Gifted And Black Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths Young Gifted And Black TBL 122 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Pied Piper Bob & Marcia Pied Piper TRLS 26 LP Trojan 1971 1971
The Music Inside Me Bob Andy The Music Inside Me JWLPS 002 LP Jigsaw 1975 1975
Sweet Memories Marcia Griffiths & Bob Andy Sweet Memories NTRCD 078 CD Nectar 1976
Kemar Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths Kemar HJLP 3304 LP Harry J 1977 1977
Lots Of Love & I Bob Andy Lots Of Love & I SP 152 LP High Note 1977
Friends Bob Andy Friends AV 001 ST LP I Anka 1983 1983

Compilations (4)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Pied Piper Bob & Marcia Pied Piper
The Best Of Bob & Marcia
TJACD 044 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Andywork Bob Andy & Various Artists Andywork AV8 CD CD I Anka 1970-74 2002
Retrospective Bob Andy Retrospective LP I Anka 1970-75
Fire Burning Bob Andy Fire Burning CDTRL 343 CD Trojan 197X 1994

Credits & Appearances (16)

Production
Arranger 1
Lots Of Love & I
Sky Note • 1977
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Lots Of Love & I Bob Andy Lots Of Love & I SKY LP 15 LP Sky Note 1977 1978
Producer 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Andywork Bob Andy & Various Artists Andywork AV8 CD CD I Anka 1970-74 2002
Pied Piper Bob & Marcia Pied Piper TRLS 26 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Sweet Memories Marcia Griffiths & Bob Andy Sweet Memories NTRCD 078 CD Nectar 1976
Lots Of Love & I Bob Andy Lots Of Love & I SKY LP 15 LP Sky Note 1977 1978
Kemar Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths Kemar HJLP 3304 LP Harry J 1977 1977
Friends Bob Andy Friends AV 001 ST LP I Anka 1983 1983
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Ire Feelings Rupie Edwards Ire Feelings CTLP 106 LP Cactus 1975 1975
Vocals 6
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Pied Piper Bob & Marcia Pied Piper TJACD 044 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Young Gifted And Black Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths Young Gifted And Black TBL 122 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Pied Piper Bob & Marcia Pied Piper TRLS 26 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Sweet Memories Marcia Griffiths & Bob Andy Sweet Memories NTRCD 078 CD Nectar 1976
Lots Of Love & I Bob Andy Lots Of Love & I SKY LP 15 LP Sky Note 1977 1978
Kemar Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths Kemar HJLP 3304 LP Harry J 1977 1977

Also Appears On (79)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Collector's Edition Various Artists Collector's Edition CDHB 47 CD Heartbeat 1989
Full Up Various Artists Full Up HB 14 LP Heartbeat 1987
Full Up Various Artists Full Up CDHB 302 CD Heartbeat 2006
Original Jamaican Classics vol 3 Various Artists Original Jamaican Classics vol 3 SOCD 7794 CD Studio 1
Reggae In The Grass Various Artists Reggae In The Grass SOL 9007 LP Studio 1
Studio 1 Classics - Ska Various Artists Studio 1 Classics - Ska LP
Studio One Lovers Various Artists Studio One Lovers SJRCD 116 CD Soul Jazz 2005
Studio One Rude Boy Various Artists Studio One Rude Boy SJRCD 148 CD Soul Jazz 2003
The Best Of Studio One Collection Various Artists The Best Of Studio One Collection CDHB 326 CD Heartbeat 2006
Tougher Than Tough Various Artists Tougher Than Tough IBXCD 1 CD Island 1958-93 1993
Oldies But Goodies Various Artists Oldies But Goodies GW 0002 LP Studio 1 1959-66 1969
Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set TRBCD 017 CD Trojan 1960-73 2000
This Is Reggae Music Various Artists This Is Reggae Music TJNBX 254 CD Trojan 1960-75 2005
The Definitive Collection of Federal Records Various Artists The Definitive Collection of Federal Records VPCD 4163 CD 17 North Parade 1964-82 2010
Arise Rootsman Various Artists Arise Rootsman TJDDD 118 CD Trojan 1965-83 2003
When Rhythm Was King Various Artists When Rhythm Was King CDHB 330 CD Heartbeat 1966-79 2007
Rock Steady Ska Various Artists Rock Steady Ska SOL 9000 LP Studio 1 1967 1967
Musical Fever Various Artists Musical Fever TRLD 408 LP Trojan 1967-68 1989
Reggae Time Various Artists Reggae Time CSL 8017 LP Coxsone 1968 1970
The Return Of The Liquidator Various Artists The Return Of The Liquidator CDTRD 412 CD Trojan 1968-70 1989
History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 CDTAL 700 CD Trojan 1968-71 1995
Tighten Up Various Artists Tighten Up TJBDD 011 CD Trojan 1968-74 2002
Touch Me In The Morning Various Artists Touch Me In The Morning CDTRL 337 CD Trojan 1968-74 1994
Young Gifted And Black Various Artists Young Gifted And Black TJDDD 006 CD Trojan 1968-75 2002
Reggae In Wonderland Lloyd Charmers & Friends Reggae In Wonderland DB2CD 144 CD Doctor Bird 1969-71 2024
Trojan Sixties Box Set Various Artists Trojan Sixties Box Set TJETD 174 CD Trojan 196X 2004
Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 Various Artists Young, Gifted And Black Vol 2 TJODD 184 CD Trojan 196X-199X 2004
Monkey Business Various Artists Monkey Business TJDCD 541 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2016
The Best Of Reggae Various Artists The Best Of Reggae DBCDX 081 CD Doctor Bird 196X-7X 2022
The Story Of Trojan Records Various Artists The Story Of Trojan Records 2775354 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2011
Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set Various Artists Trojan 'Tighten Up' Box Set TRBCD 018 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2000
Trojan Motor City Box Set Various Artists Trojan Motor City Box Set TJETD 309 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2006
Trojan Records Sampler 2002 Various Artists Trojan Records Sampler 2002 TJPCD 001 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
Trojan Reggae Chill Out Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Chill Out Box Set TJETD 115 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Reggae Country Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Country Box Set TJETD 365 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2007
Trojan Reggae Duets Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae Duets Box Set TJETD 093 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Trojan Sunshine Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Sunshine Reggae Box Set TJETD 185 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Trojan UK Hits Box Set Various Artists Trojan UK Hits Box Set TJETD 010 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
All Shook Up Various Artists All Shook Up TJACD 300 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2005
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 TBL 147 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 2 2711331 CD Trojan 1970 2009
Reggae Movement Various Artists Reggae Movement TBL 144 LP Harry J 1970 1970
Reggae Movement Various Artists Reggae Movement TBL 144 LP Harry J 1970 1970
You Can't Wine Various Artists You Can't Wine TBL 142 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Reggae Strings Vol 1&2 Johnny Arthey Orchestra & Various Artists Reggae Strings Vol 1&2 DBCDD 063 CD Doctor Bird 1970-74 2020
Am I Black Enough For You Various Artists Am I Black Enough For You TJDCD 219 CD Trojan 1970-79 2004
Hot Shots Reggae Chartbusters '71 Various Artists Hot Shots Reggae Chartbusters '71 LP 85597ZT LP Trojan 1971
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 TBL 169 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 3 2711939 CD Trojan 1971 2009
You Can't Wine & Music Alone Shall Live Various Artists You Can't Wine & Music Alone Shall Live DBCD 042 CD Doctor Bird 1971 2019
Original Reggae Greats Various Artists Original Reggae Greats SHM 786 LP Hallmark 1972 1972
Reggae Revolution Various Artists Reggae Revolution SS 104 LP Steady 1972 1972
Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 TBL 190 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Vintage Vocals Various Artists Vintage Vocals U0007 CD Upstairs Music 1972-84 1999
History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1972-95 CDTAL 900 CD Trojan 1972-95 1996
Original Wild Flower Reggae Hits Various Artists Original Wild Flower Reggae Hits LP 367 LP Wildflower 1974 1974
Sweet Bitter Love & Far And Distant Marcia Griffiths & Willie Lindo Sweet Bitter Love & Far And Distant DB2CD 134 CD Doctor Bird 1974 2024
Black Echoes Various Artists Black Echoes DEBLP 02 LP DEB 1977 1977
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
60's Hits Reggae Style Various Artists 60's Hits Reggae Style CD Castle Pulse 197X 2007
Café Jamaica Various Artists Café Jamaica METRCD 165 CD Union Square Music 197X 2005
DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward Various Artists DJ Spooky Presents Riddim Come Forward TJDDD 334 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Here Comes That Feeling Various Artists Here Comes That Feeling TJDDD 140X CD Trojan 197X 2004
Just My Imagination Vol 3 Various Artists Just My Imagination Vol 3 CDTRL 311 CD Trojan 197X 1992
More Souled On Reggae Various Artists More Souled On Reggae CD Emporio 197X 1996
Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 Various Artists Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 SHM 827 LP Hallmark 197X 1974
Playtime Reggae Various Artists Playtime Reggae CD HF 0008 CD Hi & Fly 197X 2004
Rebel Music Various Artists Rebel Music CDTRD 403 CD Trojan 197X 1989
Reggae Party Various Artists Reggae Party CD Hallmark 197X
The Best Of Lloyd Charmers Lloyd Charmers The Best Of Lloyd Charmers TJDCD 540 CD Trojan 197X 2016
Trojan Lovers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Lovers Box Set TRBCD 005 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Trojan Seventies Box Set Various Artists Trojan Seventies Box Set TJETD 192 CD Trojan 197X 2004
Trojan Singles Collection Various Artists Trojan Singles Collection CDTRL 367 CD Trojan 197X 1996
Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 Various Artists Trojan Singles Collection Part 2 CDTRL 373 CD Trojan 197X 1996
70's Hits Reggae Style Various Artists 70's Hits Reggae Style CD Castle Pulse 197X-8X 2007
Dread Broadcasting Corp. Various Artists Dread Broadcasting Corp. TJDDD 167 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2004
Vintage Vocals Volume 2 Various Artists Vintage Vocals Volume 2 CD Upstairs Music 197X-9X 2007
Tighten Up Vol 8 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 8 TBL 207 LP Trojan 1980 1980
12 albums
16 credits
9 labels
1970 - 2002