Tyrone Downie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tyrone Downie | |
|---|---|
 Downie in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Organ D |
| Born | Tyrone Ralph Downie 20 May 1956 |
| Died | 5 November 2022 (aged 66) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Arranger, pianist, musician |
| Instruments | Keyboards (piano, rhodes piano, organ, synthesizers, mellotron), guitar |
| Years active | 1970–2022 |
| Formerly of | Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Wailers Band, Tom Tom Club, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Sly & Robbie Has also toured Zambia and elsewhere with Jimmy Cliff. |
Tyrone Ralph Downie[1] (20 May 1956 – 5 November 2022) was a Jamaican keyboardist and pianist best known for his involvement as a member of Bob Marley and the Wailers.[2]
He studied at Kingston College and joined the Wailers in the mid-1970s, making his recording debut with the band on Rastaman Vibration, having previously been a member of the Impact All Stars.[3][4] He also played with the Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru,[4] Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Junior Reid,[2] Tom Tom Club, Ian Dury, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Sly & Robbie. He resided in France and was a member of the touring band of Youssou N'Dour, whose album Remember he produced.[3]
In 1983, Grace Jones released the single "My Jamaican Guy". Unbeknown to Downie, he (though in a relationship and not romantically linked to Jones) was the subject of the song.[5]
Downie released the solo album Organ-D in 2001.[4]
Downie played keyboards on the album 'Maroon Songs: Born Free, Live Free, Ever Free' with Earl Chinna Smith's InnadeYard Binghistra Movement, released on August 17, 2022.[6]
Downie died in Kingston on 5 November 2022, at the age of 66.[7]
