Born in Kingston, Jamaica, reggae singer/producer
Derrick Harriott began as a member of
the Jiving Juniors (from 1958 through 1962) before embarking on his own solo career, in addition to producing other artists, including
the Ethiopians, Keith, and Tex.
Harriott tended to rework old R&B love songs as reggae tunes, but his best-known song, "The Loser," was an original composition. In 1971, Swing Magazine named
Harriott Top Producer of 1970, as he was also one of the first to utilize the now renowned
King Tubby's recording studio. The '70s saw the release of such solo albums as Undertaker, Songs for Midnight Lovers, and Psychedelic Lovers. Although not much was heard from
Harriott during the '80s in terms of solo releases, the mid- to late '90s saw the emergence of such solo efforts as Sings Jamaican Rock Steady Reggae, For a Fistful of Dollars, Derrick Harriott & Giants, and Riding the Roots Chariot. ~ Greg Prato