Roots Archives Forum

I recently read that these legendary dancehall dj's from the 1980's have passed away. I never knew about this at all.

Does anyone know the reason as to why their musical careers were cut short?

I just thought to ask out of interest.

louie lepke, somebody shot him in his head, and lee van cleek died as a crackhead.

may they rip

May they rip too.

It is quite sad to hear that a lot of these reggae artists have been shot, and/or turn to hard drugs.

This thread popped when i was searching for Louie Lepke... Is the information above by 'voice' true??

Lui Lepki was shot outside a Manhatten discothec in December 1987.

Lee Van Cliff also shot in NYC around that same time (probably, the exact date eludes me right now).

Both of them were into drug business by the time of their deaths.

Sad story...

Thanks Bellyman.

This has been one of my biggest worries in life. Why do these talented artistes die early and tangle with the wrong things? I grew up in Nigeria in the 80's on the music of Ranking Toyan, Lee Van Cleef, Lui Lepke, Tenor Saw, Major Worries, Early B the doctor. etc.
Till this date i just wonder they have to die so young and such manner.
These guys gave so much happiness beyond their immediate vicinities but perhaps did not realise this.
I met Trevor Ranking(Saxon Selector)in Leeds, UK in 1997 and told him i grew up in Africa listening to Saxon tapes. He was humbled and confessed that when there were recording those live sessions in the 80's they did not realise that those tapes would get past Lewisham (South London).

RIP Lee Van Cleef, Lui Lepke, Early B, Major Worries, Tenor Saw, Nicodemus the likkle short man, Fathead, Toyan - My favourite DJ of all time.

LVC real name was Devon Perkins??

j j

lee van dead a Texas ina 90's
crackout for a while but not when him died.
finish with using crack at lease a year b-4 him died.
a sell it is a next issue.

dp

http://www.studiowon.com/studiowon/memorium.htm

That site has quite a big list of Reggae people and how they have died. An awful lot of them are shot.