Folkes Brothers
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The Folkes Brothers are a Jamaican group, composed of John Folkes (the lead singer), Mico Folkes, and Eric Joseph ("Junior") Folkes, and are the originators of the hit single "Oh Carolina".[1]
History
The group's 1961 single "Oh Carolina" was written by Mico Folkes. Initially, it was agreed that Mico Folkes, was to be the lead on the song. Mico Folkes, the eldest, took his brothers to Dukereid, a makeshift gathering spot to rehearse and record in Jamaica at the time. There, they met Prince Buster, who produced the hit record. The song is regarded as a landmark in the history of ska and reggae.
In 1994, John, Eric and Mico Folkes were involved in a legal dispute with Buster over the authorship of the song, after a cover version by Shaggy became an international hit.[2][3] It was eventually ruled by the High Court in London, England, that John Folkes held the copyright.[2][4] John Folkes assigned the copyright to Greensleeves so that Shaggy's Pure Pleasure album could be released. This included listing Henry Mancini as co-author, because it was alleged that Shaggy sampled the "Peter Gunn" theme song. It has been noted that John Folkes never agreed to this nor any assignment of the copyright to Greensleeves. This is in dispute.
In 2011, the group (now including Mico Folkes and Eric J. Folkes) recorded an album with their close musician friend, Jah D, in efforts to help promote his studio, while Jah D provided background music for 15 of the Folkes brothers' songs, solely written by Mico and Eric J. "Junior". The original group was created by all 3 brothers.
Mico Folkes is still passionate about his music and hoped to collaborate with his children, Mico, Jr. and Latreecia Petagaye C. Folkes. John Folkes passed away August 29, 2022 at the age of 80, survived by his wife and three children. Junior Folkes visits his brother Mico and has always wanted to get back in the studio as well.
Discography
Singles
- "Oh Carolina" (1961)
Albums
- Don't Leave Me Darling (2011)[5]
References
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 196. ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
- ^ a b "Jamaican Records Fill R&B Gap", Jamaica Gleaner, 20 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014
- ^ "The Folkes Brothers Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 21 July 2014
- ^ Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 113-4
- ^ "Don't Leave Me Darling - The Folkes Brothers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
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