Duke Vin
Duke Vin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Vincent George Forbes 25 October 1928 |
| Died | 3 November 2012(aged 84) London, England, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Sound systemoperator |
| Years active | 1955–2009 |
| Known for | Operating the first Jamaican-style sound system in the UK |
Vincent George Forbes(25 October 1928 – 3 November 2012), better known asDuke Vin,was aJamaican-bornsound systemoperator and selector who operated the first sound system in the United Kingdom.
Biography
[edit]Born inKingston,Jamaica, Forbes was raised on Wildman Street and attended the Calabar All-Age School.[1]
He began his career as a selector on theTom the Great Sebastiansound system in the early 1950s, being given a chance after helping Tom Wong to change a tyre on his car.[2][3][4]At the time, Forbes was known as "Shine-Shoes Vinny" due to his smart appearance.[1][5]
After travelling to England in 1954 as a stowaway on a boat fromKingston,he found work as an engine cleaner forBritish Rail,becoming an electrician two years later.[1][4][6]He built his first sound system in 1955 using a second-hand turntable bought from a shop inEdgware Road,a speaker bought for £15 and an amplifier built for £4, soon establishing "Duke Vin the Tickler's", inLadbroke Grove,London, the first Jamaican-style sound system in the UK.[4][7]The sound system played an important part in popularisingskain Britain.[2][3][8]He initially playedR&Bbut soon concentrated on Jamaican music – he was supplied with fresh Jamaican releases, including many fromStudio One,by the Daddy Peckings shop in West London.[8][9][10]Fellow JamaicanCount Sucklesoon set up a sound system in the same area, leading to a rivalry between the two and severalsound clashes,with Vin involved in the UK's first clash in 1958.[1][4][11]
In the 1960s his sound played at top London clubs, includingThe MarqueeandThe Flamingo.[2][4]
In the late 1960s he served time in prison after being convicted ofpimping,a charge that he denied.[4]On his release, he built a larger sound system and bought a house offHarrow Road.[4]One of the tracks that exclusively featured on his sound system was "The Tickler", a track produced byDerrick Harriottthat was unavailable elsewhere until it was released in 2006.[1]
In 1973, Forbes was one of the founders of theNotting Hill Carnival,and performed at the event for 37 years, despite suffering a stroke in his later years.[2]
He was the subject of the 2009 documentary filmDuke Vin and the Birth of Ska,directed by Gus Berger.[6]
Forbes died in London on 3 November 2012.[2]
References
[edit]- ^abcde"Duke Vin",The Daily Telegraph,23 November 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^abcde"Duke Vin: sound system pioneer".Jamaica Observer.16 November 2012.Retrieved17 November2012.
- ^abKatz, David(2006),People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee "Scratch" Perry,Omnibus Press,ISBN978-1846094439,p. 16.
- ^abcdefgSalewicz, Chris (21 November 2012), "Duke Vin: 'Soundman' who brought sound systems to Britain",The Independent.Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^Hutton, Clinton (1 December 2007), "Forging Identity And Community Through Aestheticism and Entertainment: The Sound System and The Rise Of The DJ",Caribbean Quarterly.
- ^abBurrell, Ian (2009), "The Duke of Notting Hill",The Independent,4 September 2009.
- ^Barrow, Steve, & Dalton, Peter (2004),The Rough Guide to Reggae,3rd edn, Rough Guides,ISBN978-1843533290,p. 384.
- ^abHebdige, Dick(1987),Cut 'N' Mix,Routledge,ISBN978-0415058759,p. 77.
- ^Beckford, Robert (2006),Jesus Dub: Theology, Music and Social Change,Routledge,ISBN978-0415310185,p. 41.
- ^Broughton, Simon, et al. (eds) (2000),World Music: The Rough Guide,Rough Guides,ISBN978-1858286365,p. 457.
- ^Bradley, Lloyd(2001),Bass Culture: When Reggae was King,Penguin,ISBN978-0140237634,p. 115.
External links
[edit]- Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska,Gusto Films