Chris Blackwell Archives - World Music Views

Jimmy Cliff performing at the Love Supreme jazz festival in Glynde, East Sussex, in 2019. Photograph: Shutterstock, Chris Blackwell

Story Of How Jimmy Cliff Reshaped Island Records—and Set the Stage for Chris Blackwell To Discover Bob Marley

Before Bob Marley became the global face of reggae, Chris Blackwell had placed his greatest hopes in another young Jamaican talent: Jimmy Cliff. Blackwell’s memoir “The Islander: My Life in Music and

28/11/2025

Features

“Satta Massagana”: Clive Hunt Details Reason He Rejected Chris Blackwell’s Offer to Buy The Abyssinians’ Debut Album

Chris Blackwell, is known for signing reggae’s biggest stars and popularizing the genre by promoting Bob Marley through his Island Records label. Since the 1960s, the label has released several iconic reggae

06/06/2024

Features

Godfather Of Soul James Brown, Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, Riddim twins Sly and Robbie

The Untold Story Of James Brown vs. Sly and Robbie By Chris Blackwell

Sly, one half of the riddim duo Sly and Robbie, denies the tale about the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, demanding subservience at Chris Blackwell’s Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas. Blackwell,

15/05/2024

Exclusives·Features

Anansa Sims of Barnes Bunch- Photo via Instagram

Barnes Bunch: Anansa Sims Opens Up About Family, Bob Marley and WeTV Series

Barnes Bunch, a production by Entertainment One Reality Productions and will air globally on WeTV. Anansa Sims, Daughter of Danny Sims, who discovered Bob Marley in 1967. Engaged to Matt Barnes, featuring in

24/11/2023

Interview

From ‘Blackheart Man’ to ‘Legend’: 20 Million Records Sold With Neville Garrick’s Album Covers

If there was a Grammy handed out for “Best Reggae Album Covers”, then Neville Garrick would have the most awards in that category. In addition to Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny

16/11/2023

Exclusives·Features·Interview

Bob Marley’s ‘Catch A Fire’ Returns to No. 5 on Billboard Reggae Albums Chart After 50th Anniversary Reissue

“Catch A Fire” the album by Bob Marley and The Wailers has re-entered the US Billboard Reggae Albums chart at No. 5 for the week ending November 18, 2023. The re-entry follows the re-release of

14/11/2023

Charts

Anniversary of Chris Blackwell’s Exit from Island Records: The Clash with PolyGram

“I’ve always had a good feel for the new and slightly different, and have never been afraid to trust my intuition,” – Chris Blackwell. 26 years ago today, PolyGram chief Alain Levy

31/10/2023

Features

Marketing Marley: Meet The Man Responsible For Making Bob Marley A Household Name

Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley and The Wailers spends another week at the top of the US Billboard Reggae Albums chart. 184 weeks at the top for an album first released in 1984

01/08/2023

Album Sales·Features·Milestones

Chris Blackwell – Trailblazing Music Impresario

Blackwell has outlived many of his successful artists, his enemies as well as his friends. He began writing his memoir “The Islander: My Life In Music And Beyond” on the cusp of

22/06/2023

Exclusives·Features

Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo Accept Polar Music Prize In Lavish Ceremony

Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo and Arvo Pärt on Saturday received The Polar Music Prize 2023 at a ceremony in Stockholm. Blackwell’s efforts as a music impresario started in the

23/05/2023

Awards

HOT 50: “Catch A Fire” By Bob Marley & The Wailers Was Released 50 years Ago

Today April 13, 2023 marks 50 years since the release of “Catch A Fire,” the first Island Records album by the Wailers Trio, Bob Marley & The Wailers. Since 1991, the album

13/04/2023

HOT 50·Milestones

Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo And Arvo Pärt Awarded The Polar Music Prizes 2023

Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, Angélique Kidjo from Benin and to Arvo Pärt from Estonia are The Polar Music Prize 2023 laureates. Blackwell’s efforts as an impresario has been a key part in

29/03/2023

Awards

Chris Blackwell

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