Fred Locks – Black Star Liner (1975-original version)

Fred “Stafford Elliot” Locks is a jamaican roots reggae singer, born in Kingston in 7th June 1950, who started recording at the age of 13 for Coxsone Dodd, Randy’s and Lee “Scratch” Perry.
In 1971, having decided to immerse himself in the Rastafarian faith, we went living at the beach at Harbour View. Elliot allowed his locks to grow to a great length, giving rise to his nickname of ‘Fred Locks’. During his time living on the beach, he continued to write songs, one of which, “Black Star Liners”, referring to Marcus Garvey’s shipping line (Black Star Line) originaly intended to transport black Americans to Africa as part of the Back-to-Africa movement, came to the attention of producer and Twelve Tribes member Hugh Boothe. Boothe persuaded Locks to record the song, and it was released in 1975 on the Jahmikmusic label in Jamaica, and on Grounation in the United Kingdom, propelling Locks to cult status.