Chris Blackwell

British promoter

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July 16, 2026

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Chris Blackwell, a British promoter, founded Island Records in Jamaica in 1959. Initially, the label focused on releasing Jamaican music in the United Kingdom for immigrant communities. A significant early success was Millie Small's "My Boy Lollipop," which introduced the distinctive Jamaican ska beat to an international audience.

By 1967, Island Records shifted its focus to the emerging rock music scene in London. The label became known for signing album-oriented rock acts and played a crucial role in promoting artists like Bob Marley, helping to bring Jamaican music to a global rock audience. Blackwell's vision and the label's independent spirit established Island Records as a prominent force in the music industry.

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Jimmy Cliff
Move to London, The Harder They Come, and reggae stardom
…1965 at the behest of Chris Blackwell of Island Records, Cliff broadened his musical approach to incorporate soul and rhythm and blues as he moved in the direction of reggae. Of his time in London, he later said, “I experienced racism in a manner I had never experienced before,” and…
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…1965 at the behest of Chris Blackwell of Island Records, Cliff broadened his musical approach to incorporate soul and rhythm and blues as he moved in the direction of reggae. Of his time in London, he later said, “I experienced racism in a manner I had never experienced before,” and…
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Melissa Etheridge
…and bars until 1986, when Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, signed her to a recording contract. Her first album, Melissa Etheridge (1988), with its hit single “Bring Me Some Water,” earned her a Grammy Award nomination. Success continued with the release of Brave and Crazy (1989) and Never Enough…
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…and bars until 1986, when Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, signed her to a recording contract. Her first album, Melissa Etheridge (1988), with its hit single “Bring Me Some Water,” earned her a Grammy Award nomination. Success continued with the release of Brave and Crazy (1989) and Never Enough…
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Island Records
Chris Blackwell’s Rock and Reggae Circus
Chris Blackwell grew up in Jamaica but was educated in England. He founded Island Records in 1959 in Jamaica, then three years later relocated to the United Kingdom, where Island became an outlet for Jamaican records, initially aimed at immigrant communities throughout Britain. In 1964,…
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Chris Blackwell grew up in Jamaica but was educated in England. He founded Island Records in 1959 in Jamaica, then three years later relocated to the United Kingdom, where Island became an outlet for Jamaican records, initially aimed at immigrant communities throughout Britain. In 1964,…
Read More