Laurel Aitken

Laurel Aitken (April 22, 1927–July 17, 2005) became famous as one of the originators of Jamaican ska music in the late 1950s.He is brother to singer Bobby Aitken.

Aitken was born as Lorenzo Aitken in Cuba. He

Laurel Aitken (April 22, 1927–July 17, 2005) became famous as one of the originators of Jamaican ska music in the late 1950s.He is brother to singer Bobby Aitken.

Aitken was born as Lorenzo Aitken in Cuba. He recorded one of the earliest ska records, the double A-sided "Little Sheila"/"Boogie in my Bones" (1958). It was also the first record on producer Chris Blackwell's Island Records label. He had massive hits through the 1950s to the 1970s, while recording for such renowned ska labels as Blue Beat Records, Pama Records and Trojan Records. He moved to England in the 1960s. Aitken, who is also known as "The Godfather of Ska", performed live almost until his death (he suffered from a serious illness following a heart attack about a year before he died). He had a loyal following among Skinheads and other music lovers.