Legendary Derrick Harriott ‘checks out’

Derrick Clifton Harriott, who excelled as a singer, producer, and record label owner, died at his St Andrew home on October 24. He was 87. Lorna Thomas, his friend of over 60 years, confirmed his passing in an interview with the Jamaica Observer. She said he died just after midnight, less than one week after leaving Medical Associates Hospital in St Andrew. Thomas disclosed that Harriott had been ailing for some time, but his condition deteriorated since August when he was hospitalised twice. The youngest of six children, Harriott was born in Kingston and attended Excelsior High School. He got his start in music during the late 1950s as a member of The Jiving Juniors, a harmony quartet that recorded mainly American-inspired ballads. That was followed by a successful solo career that produced songs like Walk The Streets, Solomon, The Loser, Born to Love You, and the 1984-released Checkin’ Out. Harriott also established himself as a producer with his Crystal label, which released hit songs by Keith and Tex (Stop That Train, Tonight), The Kingstonians (Singer Man), The Federals (Penny For Your Song) and Dennis Brown (Lips Of Wine, Silhouette). Lips Of Wine, released in 1968, was Dennis Brown’s first song. Harriott also directed Brown on a 1973 album that includes covers of Glen Campell’s Wichita Lineman and Let Me Down Easy, originally done by Van McKoy. Since the early 1970s, Harriott operated the Chariot record store in Twin Gates Plaza in Ha;f-Way-Tree, St Andrew. It was a hub for fans seeking hard-to-find vinyl records, as well as dances, shows, and roots plays on VHS. One of the artistes whose careers Harriott impacted was singer McAnuff. He produced Pick Hits to Click, McAnuff’s first album, which was released in 1977. “Derrick was like mi father, one of di nicest people yuh could ever meet. Him was a lesson in humility,” said McAnuff. For his contribution to Jamaican music, Harriott was honoured by the Jamaican Government with an investiture into the Order of Distinction in 2009. Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia Grange said that with the death of Harriott, Jamaica, sadly, has lost another of the icons who helped to shape the trajectory and reach of the country’s musical genres. “Derrick was a true pioneer of Jamaican music, and it is interesting that February 6, his birthday anniversary, is the same as that of reggae legend Bob Marley,” she shared. “Through his music and his record store, he nurtured talent and preserved our music over many years.” He is the latest entertainment industry stalwart to die in 2026. Drummer Sly Dunbar, guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, singer Stranger Cole, guitarist Rupert Bent II (who played on Lips of Wine), and bass guitarist Jackie Jackson predeceased him. Derrick Harriott is survived by his 97 year-old sister, Loy Shegog; eight children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.