Throwback: Happy 90th Birthday, Lee “Scratch” Perry!

It’s March 2026. We’re about to blow through the first third of the year. Things have gotten messier and more hellish. Apparently, we’re now at war. We’ve got masked goons grabbing people off the streets and shooting civilians. The economy is reeling. We’re dealing with a mad, dying king. And yet, we have to simultaneously fight fascists and get on with our daily lives. 

But there’s music, art and community. I hope that this site is a bit of escape and maybe even a reminder of how much community means when the world is running down. 

• The Who frontman  Roger Daltrey celebrated his 82nd birthday on March 1
• The pioneering singer, activist and actor Harry Belafonte was born 99 years ago on March 1
• Karen Carpenter was born 76 years ago on March 2
• Lou Reed, arguably one of the most influential figures of the past 75 years or so was born on this day 84 years ago on March 2
• Tone Lōc celebrated his 60th birthday — yes, y’all 60th! — on March 3
• The legendary soul artist Bobby Womack was born 82 years ago on March 4
• Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted celebrated his 63rd birthday on March 4
• Teena Marie, one of the perhaps most under-appreciated pop and R&B vocalists ever was born 70 years ago on March 5
• Best known for his work with Red Hot Chili Peppers, John Frusciante celebrated his 56th birthday on March 5
• Mary Wilson, the legendary co-founder of The Supremes was born on 82 years ago on March 6
• Pink Floyd‘s David Gilmour celebrated his 80th birthday — yes, y’all, 80th! — on March 6
• Isley Brothers’ guitarist Ernie Isley celebrated his 74th birthday on March 7
• The Monkees’ Mickey Dolenz celebrated his 81st birthday on March 8
• The legendary and pioneering Gary Numan celebrated his 68th birthday on March 8
• Free jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman was born 96 years ago on March 9
• Pearl Jam‘s Jeff Ament celebrated his 63rd birthday on March 10
• The Horrors co-founder and former member Tom Furse celebrated his 39th birthday on March 11
• The legendary Al Jarreau was born 86 years on March 12
• James Taylor celebrated his 78th birthday on March 12 
• U2‘s Adam Clayton celebrated his 66th birthday March 13
• Roy Haynes was born 101 years ago on March 13
• The legendary Lightnin’ Hopkins was born 113 years ago on March 15
• Sly and the Family Stone frontman Sly Stone was born 83 years ago on March 15
• Public Enemy‘s Flavor Flav celebrated his 67th birthday on March 16
• Smashing Pumpkins founder and frontman Billy Corgan celebrated his 59th birthday on March 17
• The great Nat King Cole was born 107 years ago on March 17
• Queen Latifah, one of the most regal, powerful and defiantly feminist artists in hip-hop history celebrates her 56th birthday today
• The wildly talented and breathtakingly beautiful Vanessa Williams celebrates her 63rd birthday today
• The legendary Wilson Pickett was born on this day 85 years ago on March 18
• The B-52s co-founder and original guitarist Ricky Wilson was born 73 years ago on March 19
• The godmother of rock ‘n’ roll Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born on this day 111 years ago

The legendary Lee “Scratch” Perry was born 90 years ago today. 

As a producer, composer, singer and songwriter, Perry was noted for his innovative studio techniques and production style: In the 70s, he pioneered the development of dub music through his early adoption of remixing and studio effects. He also worked with and/or produced material for a wide variety of artists including Bob Marley, The Wailers. Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romero, Adrian Sherwood, Beastie Boys, Ari Up, The Clash, The Orb, and others.

I’ve had the distinct blessing to have seen — and photograph — the legend three times. Mr. Perry was very much a zen trickster, who could take you on a transcendent journey through time, space and his own mind.

We lost Mr. Perry a couple of years ago but Perry’s influence on modern music — especially on reggae and electronic music — has remained towering. Long live The Mighty Upsetter, y’all! Long live Rainford Hugh “Lee ‘Scratch’” Perry!

Happy birthday, sir! Happy birthday, wherever you are!

____

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