BB Seaton obit

Gaylads singer BB Seaton dead at 79

 

He was not on the list.

LONDON, England – BB Seaton, a prolific singer-songwriter in the ska and rocksteady eras, died here on Monday at age 79.

Dennis Alcapone, his friend of over 45 years, told Observer Online that Seaton died in hospital with members of his family by his side.

Seaton, a past student of Cornwall College, was a member of The Gaylads along with Delano Stewart and Maurice Roberts.

Their hit songs include Joy in The Morning and Hard to Confess which he wrote. As a solo artiste, Seaton wrote and sang My Jamaican Girl, his biggest hit.

He also co-wrote Freedom Street with Ken Boothe and wrote Swing And Dine for The Melodians.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Seaton first recorded as a solo artist in 1960 before forming the duo Winston & Bibby with Winston Delano Stewart. The duo were joined by Maurice Roberts and became The Gaylads, although Seaton soon left to join The Astronauts. Seaton rejoined The Gaylads towards the end of the ska era, and they became hugely successful in Jamaica, and their success continued when they were reduced to a duo after Stewart departed. Seaton left in 1972 and restarted his solo career, having several solo hits the same year with "Accept My Apology", "Sweet Caroline", "Lean on Me", and "Thin Line Between Love and Hate".

Seaton's work as a songwriter included songs for Boothe ("The Girl I Left Behind" and "Freedom Street"), The Melodians ("Swing and Dine"), and Delroy Wilson ("Give Love a Try").

Seaton was the first reggae artist to be signed by Virgin Records, leading to the creation of the Front Line label. He became based in the United Kingdom in the mid-1970s where he became active as a producer, his productions including the Gun Court Dub series of dub albums.

Seaton continued to perform into the 2010s as a member of The Gaylads. He died in London, England on 4 March 2024, at the age of 79.