Dandy Livingstone

Dandy Livingstone

Also known as: Dandy, R. Thompson

Dandy Livingstone (born Robert Livingstone Thompson, 14 December 1943) is a British-Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae musician and record producer, best known for his 1972 hit "Suzanne Beware of the Devil", and for his song "Rudy, a Message to You", which was later a hit for the Specials. "Suzanne Beware of the Devil" reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 78 in Australia. In the early 1960s, Livingstone recorded some of the bestselling UK-produced ska singles of the era.

Biography
At the age of 15, Livingstone moved to the United Kingdom to live with his estranged mother in London. Livingstone's first record was released without his knowledge - a tenant in the building where he and a friend jammed recorded some of these sessions and released some tracks on the Planetone label. When London-based Carnival Records was seeking a Jamaican vocal duo, Livingstone filled the requirement by double-tracking his own voice, releasing records in this fashion under the name Sugar & Dandy. One of these singles, "What a Life", sold 25,000 copies, providing Livingstone with his first hit. When called on to perform live, Roy Smith was recruited to make up the duo, although he would be replaced by Tito "Sugar" Simon. Prior to becoming a musician, Livingstone first worked as a record salesman - an episode that was his door into the music industry. In 1967, Livingstone signed with Ska Beat Records, for whom he recorded his debut album, 1967's Rocksteady with Dandy. In 1968, Livingstone moved into production, and formed a duo with Audrey Hall (as Dandy & Audrey). His production of other artists included the Marvels' debut album and hit singles by Nicky Thomas ("Suzanne Beware of the Devil") and Tony Tribe ("Red Red Wine"). In the late 1960s, Livingstone worked with the trombonist Rico Rodriguez, who was featured on "Rudy, a Message to You". Rodriguez later played with the Specials, whose 1979 cover version made the song famous. Livingstone produced several singles for Rodriguez under the name Rico & the Rudies. Livingstone signed to Trojan Records in 1968, releasing two albums, Follow That Donkey and Dandy Returns. A Trojan subsidiary, Down Town Records, was set up to release Livingstone's output, both as a singer and producer, and the J-Dan subsidiary served the same purpose in the early 1970s. Livingstone returned to Jamaica, living there until 1973. Livingstone resurfaced in 1973 with the single "Black Star" on Mooncrest Records and the album Conscious. On his return to the UK, he recorded a self-titled album at Byron Lee's studio. It was announced on 11 September 2011 that Livingstone would be performing for the first time in over 40 years at the 2012 London International Ska Festival on 3-6 May. Though it was announced on stage that he had been present at the sound check, he did not perform.

Compilations (2)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Suzanne Beware Of The Devil Dandy Livingstone Suzanne Beware Of The Devil
Best Of
TJACD 057 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2002
The Best Of Dandy Linvingstone Dandy Livingstone The Best Of Dandy Linvingstone TJDCD 561 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2017

Credits & Appearances (25)

Production
Arranger 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Marvels The Marvels The Marvels TRLS 67 LP Trojan 1974 1974
Technicians
Mixing Engineer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Trojan Reggae Party Various Artists Trojan Reggae Party TBL 172 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Recording Engineer 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers With Various Artiste Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers With Various Artiste Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers With Various Artiste CD EMW 1975
Musicians
Percussions 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The South African Experience Dandy Livingstone The South African Experience NORLP 1001 LP Night Owl 1978 1978
Piano 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The South African Experience Dandy Livingstone The South African Experience NORLP 1001 LP Night Owl 1978 1978

Also Appears On (48)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
20 Reggae Classics Vol 2 Various Artists 20 Reggae Classics Vol 2 CDTRL 224 CD Trojan 1966-74 1988
History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 Various Artists History Of Trojan Records 1968-71 CDTAL 700 CD Trojan 1968-71 1995
Reggae In Your Jeggae Various Artists Reggae In Your Jeggae CDTRL 358 CD Trojan 1968-72 1996
Trojan British Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan British Reggae Box Set TJETD 070 CD Trojan 1968-72 2002
Young Gifted And Black Various Artists Young Gifted And Black TJDDD 006 CD Trojan 1968-75 2002
Blow Your Horn Rico & The Rudies Blow Your Horn TTL 12 LP Downtown 1969 1969
Blow Your Horn & Brixton Cat Rico & The Rudies Blow Your Horn & Brixton Cat CDTRL 361 CD Trojan 1969 1995
Dancehall '69 Various Artists Dancehall '69 TJDDD 081 CD Trojan 1969 2003
Red Red Wine Various Artists Red Red Wine TTL 11 LP Downtown 1969 1969
Reggae Chartbusters Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters TBLS 105 LP Trojan 1969 1969
Reggae Chartbusters Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters 2711271 CD Trojan 1969 2009
Tighten Up Vol 2 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 2 TBL 131 LP Trojan 1969 1970
Tighten Up Vol 2 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 2 TJDCD 506 CD Trojan 1969 2015
The Down Town Albums Collection Various Artists The Down Town Albums Collection DBCD 020 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2018
Copasetic! Various Artists Copasetic! TJDCD 564 CD Trojan 196X 2017
Trojan Rude Boy Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rude Boy Box Set TJETD 055 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Trojan Skinhead Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Skinhead Reggae Box Set TJETD 003 CD Trojan 196X 2002
A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style Various Artists A Tribute To The Beatles Reggae Style CDTALL 501 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2001
Monkey Business Various Artists Monkey Business TJDCD 541 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2016
Ska & Reggae Classics Various Artists Ska & Reggae Classics TJTCD 572 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2018
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
The Trojan Story Various Artists The Trojan Story TRLD 402 LP Trojan 196X-7X 1974
The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 Various Artists The Trojan Story Vol 1&2 TALL 100-200 LP Trojan 196X-7X
Trojan Beatles Tribute Box Set Various Artists Trojan Beatles Tribute Box Set TJETD 220 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2004
Trojan Carnival Box Set Various Artists Trojan Carnival Box Set TJETD 132 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
Trojan Club Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Club Reggae Box Set TRBCD 020 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2000
Trojan Originals Box Set Various Artists Trojan Originals Box Set TJETD 098 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2003
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
Let's Catch The Beat Brother Dan All Stars & Various Artists Let's Catch The Beat TBL 101 LP Trojan 1970 1970
Red Red Wine Volume Two Various Artists Red Red Wine Volume Two TBL 116 LP Downtown 1970 1970
Tighten Up Vol 3 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 3 TBL 145 LP Trojan 1970 1970
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
Trojan Reggae Party Various Artists Trojan Reggae Party TBL 172 LP Trojan 1971 1971
Club Reggae Vol 4 Various Artists Club Reggae Vol 4 TBL 188 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Original Reggae Greats Various Artists Original Reggae Greats SHM 786 LP Hallmark 1972 1972
Tighten Up Vol 6 Various Artists Tighten Up Vol 6 TBL 185 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 Various Artists Trojan's Greatest Hits Vol 2 TBL 190 LP Trojan 1972 1972
Hit Me With Music Various Artists Hit Me With Music TRLS 82 LP Trojan 1974 1974
Lovers & Rockers Various Artists Lovers & Rockers RDM 3001 LP EMI 1977-80 1980
Club Reggae Vol 1 Various Artists Club Reggae Vol 1 TBL 159 LP Trojan 197X 1974
Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 Various Artists Original Reggae Greats Vol 2 SHM 827 LP Hallmark 197X 1974
Reggae Chartbusters Vol 4 Various Artists Reggae Chartbusters Vol 4 2712801 CD Trojan 197X 2009
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
Reggae Love Songs Vol 2 Various Artists Reggae Love Songs Vol 2 TLSAN 014 CD Trojan 197X-9X 2005
11 albums
25 credits
7 labels
1967 - 2018