King of the beat
Reggae legend Clinton Fearon to play Lincoln City
Reggae royalty will reign at Lincoln City’s Beach Club and Event Center when Clinton Fearon hits the stage on Sunday, May 18.
The early evening acoustic show kicks off with a short set by the local ZuhG Duo, Bryan Nichols and Dylan Crawford.
A Jamaica-born composer, songwriter, singer and instrumentalist since his early teens, Fearon became the bassist, vocalist and lyricist for the famed Gladiators and session musician for Coxsonne Dodd and Lee 'Scratch' Perry, two of the main producers on the island at this time. He also composed some everlasting bass lines for well-known artists like Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo and Junior Byles.
After leaving Jamaica in 1987, Fearon started a new career in Seattle and founded The Defenders, which built a nice following in the Northwest. But, after five years, the band split and Fearon formed the Boogie Brown Band with local musicians. He recorded eight albums with Boogie Brown Band and two solo acoustic albums.
“I was following my dream and I stuck with it and I’m still loving it,” he said. “I get to do what I love and love what I do and that is the whole point.”
Each of Fearon’s songs is a strong message coming from the heart of a man who dedicates his life to help a better world to come. With chiseled music and poetic lyrics, he opens reggae to a wider audience who simply love his beautiful songs.
"My music is roots reggae from the island of Jamaica,” he said. “I grew up deep in the hills, up in St. Catherine, surrounded by nature, beauty and hard work. Even as a child, I knew I wanted to be a musician and began my career singing in church and at school, and eventually built my own guitar. As a teenager, my journeys took me to Kingston where I met many musicians and began writing and recording music. The Skatalites, Motown artists and Jamaican musicians who came before me all influenced my music.”
Since moving to the United States, Fearon says his music has changed while still respecting its roots.
“I have had different influences besides reggae since moving here like jazz and blues,” he said. “But music is just one language and we all speak it as best we can. I’ve grown as a musician over the years, too. So, everything works together for good.”
Now in his 70s, Fearon isn’t slowing down, still touring in such places as Europe, Brazil and Africa and creating new works.
“I’m going to do a few of my new songs at the Lincoln City concert,” he said. “I have another album release coming up on June 6.”
With topics such as nature, people, politics and love, Fearon’s songs are deep but still danceable.
“My music is good for the soul — always with a message of hope and betterment for tomorrow,” he said. “Because it’s acoustic, people tend to listen to the story in the lyrics more, but I still get people on their feet.”
The show starts at 5 pm at the Beach Club & Event Center, located at 2020 NE 22nd Street in Lincoln City.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com.
For more information, go to thebeachclublc.com or call 541-418-5468.