Coxsone Dodd had no hesitation in taking "Scratch" as his A and R even though he had no idea of Perry's talents. Lee Perry remained with the Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's studio team for almost 7 years as he felt he'd served his apprenticeship at the recording studio from 1959 through to 1966. During the time Lee Perry spent with Coxsone he was treated with disrespect by the proprietor. Soon after leaving Coxsone Lee Perry want to learn more, went on a musical advanced learning curve journey linking up with the likes of Prince Buster, Bunny Lee, Bryon Lee and Joe Gibbs before setting up his own Recording Studio. Perry named his recording studio: "The Black Ark Studio. Perry set up The Black Ark Studio in 1974 which lasted through to 1983. 1983 saw an explosive type fire that blew the roof off the Black Studio. However, while being at the Joe Gibbs studio he produced the tune “Long Shot Kick De Bucket," sung by The Pioneers. At the time no one actually knew what name to give the rhythm of the tune until one bright spark came up with the name Reggae. That tune was actually the first Reggae tune produced in Joe Gibbs studio by “Scratch.” It can be noted however, that from the Black Ark Studio, Lee Perry produced a wealth of creative innovations in reggae music, many recording producers try to emulate Perry. |
