Not long after Junior Braitheway left for the United States, the girl backup singers Beverley Kelso and Cherry Smith also wander off from the group. Simmer Down was a tune subject of teenage crime in Jamaica which had established The Wailers group as the musical force of the island's rebels; the rude boys. Although the three male members of the group Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh strictly speaking were not rude boys themselves, but this recording of their 45rpm single "Simmer Down." made The Wailers one of the most successful recording bands! The song identified them with the tribal youth sector that was, still is and will always be, a useful suspension bridge in building an audience following in popularizing the Ska music. Coxsone insisted that if he was to continue working with the group The Wailers would require a definite lead vocalist. After an hour of discussions a decision was made. The decision made between the group and Clement Dodd was that the task of lead vocalist should fall on Bob Marley shoulders. Both Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh were given feeble pledges that they would have their turn as lead vocalist! | | Coxsone was encouraged in his decision by "Simmer Down," a song which Bob Marley had brought to the recording session that served as a twofold rationale relates as an admonition to the disaffected rude boys to cool off their rude boy activities and not to bring down the wrath of the law upon themselves; and a disturbed rejoinder to a letter from his mother in the United States, terrified that her only son may become attracted to crime being involved with abhorrent groups of people. "Simmer Down, "Control Your Temper!" |
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