Stann Champion
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Stann Champion | |
|---|---|
 Stann Champion | |
| Background information | |
| Born | May 16, 1952 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | August 16, 2022 (aged 70) |
| Genres | Reggae World |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, keyboards, drums, guitar, bass |
| Years active | 1978–2022 |
| Labels | Sonic Sounds, Obvio Records, RRS International, VP Music |
| Formerly of | Bob Marley, Earth Wind and Fire, Ziggy Marley, Al Jardine, Brett Michaels |
Stann Champion (born Stanley Higgins; May 16, 1952 – August 16, 2022) was a Chicago-based American guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer.[1] His music style blended elements of reggae, calypso, R&B and, rock.
In 1986, Champion founded the band Roots Rock Society (RRS), which became a part of Chicago's Caribbean music scene.[2] Throughout his career, he performed with Blue Öyster Cult, Quiet Riot, Gil Scott-Heron, Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, and Burning Spear. Champion provided music therapy at hospitals and nursing homes.
He received twelve Chicago Music Awards, including "Best Calypso," "Best Soul Calypso," and "Best Gospel/Spiritual Band," as well as a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his contributions to the Chicago music industry and community.[3]
Champion was born on May 16th, 1952 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved to Chicago, Illinois when he was young. He attended public K-12 schools and the Art Institute of Chicago Junior School before attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE) and Columbia College Chicago, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design in 1974.[4]
Career
Before graduating from Columbia College Chicago, Champion worked in advertising agencies and played music. He collaborated with a songwriter from Saint Kitts on a recording session at Bob Marley's Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston. In 1982, as part of the band Gypsi-Fari, he recorded his first release, "The Girls," for Obvio Records at Paul Serrano Studios in Chicago.
After leaving Gypsi-Fari in 1982, Champion returned to the private sector[5] and was recruited for a band to back Carlene Davis for her North American tour. Her EP featured two songs written by Champion and was reviewed in College Music Journal (CMJ).
In December 1986, Champion formed his own band, the Roots Rock Society (RRS). They toured with reggae bands such as Steel Pulse, Third World, Culture, Burning Spear, and Gil Scott-Heron.[6] RRS's membership changed regularly, but the project continued. With RRS, Champion created his 'Tropical Roots' sound with the release of Again, a four-song EP co-produced by David Axelbaum, which reached over 250 radio stations worldwide.[7]
Stann Champion Radio Show
Discography
- Gypsi-Fari -- Hail Jah 45' (1981, Sonic Sounds)
- Stann Champion Roots Rock Society Cassette (1987 RRS International)
- Bass Mint Sessions Cassette (1991 RRS International)
- Again Cassette (1994 RRS International)
- Riddim to Riddim Cassette (2007 RRS International)[10]
- La Familia Cassette (2010 RRS International)
- Cost of Living Cassette (2013 RRS International)
- TimeBless Cassette (2015 RRS International)
- Paradise Love Cassette (2016 VP Records)
- See Me Cassette (2016 VP Records)
