| Location | Canterbury |
| Age | 53 years |
| Cause of Death | Heart Attack |
| Date of Birth | 21/12/1945 |
| Date of Death | 24/12/1998 |
| Visitors | 1,246 since 28/07/2009 |
| Creator |
THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO ALEX HUGHES (JUDGE DREAD)
Although often dismissed as a novelty act,
Judge Dread was actually a ground breaking artist. Not only did he put more reggae records onto the U.K. chart than anyone else (Bob Marley included), he was also the first white artist to actually have a reggae hit in Jamaica.
The Judge also holds the record for having the most songs banned by the BBC, 11 in all, which incidentally is precisely the number of singles he placed on the charts.
Judge Dread was born Alex Hughes in Kent, England, in 1945. In his teens, he moved into a West Indian household in the Caribbean neighborhood of Brixton. Hughes was a large man, which helped determine his early career as a bouncer at the Brixton's Ram Jam club. He also acted as a bodyguard for the likes of Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd, and Duke Reid.
There was a spell as a professional wrestler, under the mighty moniker the Masked Executioner, and even a job as muscle for Trojan Records, collecting debts.
By the end of the '60s, Hughes was working as a DJ with a local radio station and running his own sound system. It was Prince Buster who provided the impetus for Hughes' metamorphosis into a recording artist. The DJ was so taken by Buster's seminal "Big Five" that he went into Trojan's studio to record his own follow-up. Over the rhythm of Verne & Son's "Little Boy Blue," Hughes recited a slew of hilariously rude nursery rhymes. It was by sheer chance that Trojan label head Lee Gopthal walked by during the recording; impressed, he immediately signed the DJ. His song was titled "Big Six" and Hughes chose the name Judge Dread in honor of Buster. The single was released, aptly enough, on the Trojan label imprint Big Shot. Initially an underground hit, once Trojan signed a distribution deal with EMI later in 1972, the single rocketed up the charts, even though the distributors refused to carry the record. The song was also a hit with a radio ban as well, and Trojan's disingenuous cries that it wasn't about sex were met with the same scorn as Max Romeo's "Wet Dream," the first of the rude reggae hits. The ban was no more effective this time either, and the single rocketed to number 11, spending six months on the chart. "Big Six" was just as enormous in Jamaica, and before the year was out Dread was in Kingston performing before an excited crowd. Those nearest the stage assumed the white man milling around was Dread's bodyguard or perhaps his manager, at least until he stepped up to the mic. An audible gasp arose from the crowd as no one in Jamaica had considered the possibility that the Judge was white.
Back in Britain, "Big Seven" was even bigger than its predecessor, thrusting its way up to number eight. It too was an innuendo-laced nursery rhyme, toasted over a perfect rocksteady rhythm and reggae beat. In the new year, "Big Eight" shot up the chart as well. Amazingly though, Judge Dread's debut album, Dreadmania, failed to even scrape the bottom reaches of the chart. However, the British continued to have an insatiable desire for his singles. In the midst of all this rudeness, in faraway Ethiopia people were dying, so he helped organize a benefit concert starring the Wailers and Desmond Dekker, and also released the benefit single "Molly." The single was the first of Dread's releases not to boast a single sexual innuendo, but radio stations banned it anyway and the charity record failed to chart. In an attempt to receive some airplay, Dread released singles under the pseudonym JD Alex and Jason Sinclair, but the BBC wasn't fooled and banned them regardless of content.
The artist's second album, Working Class 'Ero, which arrived in 1974, also failed to chart. "Big Nine," released that June, and "Grandad's Flannelette Nightshirt," which arrived in December, turned out to be just as limp. Judge Dread seemed to have lost his potency and both singles lacked the thrusting naughtiness of their predecessors. However, the DJ shot back up the chart the following year with "Je T'aime," a cover which managed to be even more suggestive than the original. The ever-enlarging "Big Ten" took the artist back into the Top Ten that autumn; and the "Big" series eventually ended at a ruler-defying 12. A new album, Bedtime Stories, just missed the Top 25, while the double A-sided single "Christmas in Dreadland"/"Come Outside" proved to be the perfect holiday offering. The hits kept coming, although none would again break into the Top 25. In the spring, The Winkle Man sidled its way up Number 35. The Latin flair of "Y'Viva Suspenders" proved more popular in August 1976, but failed to give a leg up to the Last of the Skinheads album.
Britain was now in the grips of punk, but Judge Dread was bemoaning the lack of reggae in clubs, and wishing to "Bring Back the Skins," one of a quartet of songs on his February 1977 5th Anniversary EP. However, the artist was capable of writing more than rude hits. One of his songs, "A Child's Prayer," was picked out by Elvis Presley, who intended on recording it as a Christmas present for his daughter. However, he died before he had the chance. In the autumn, the delightfully daft barnyard mayhem of "Up With the Cock" scraped into the Top 50. Dread's raging affair with the charts ended in December 1978, with the holiday flavored "Hokey Cokey"/"Jingle Bells." It had been quite a run and 1980's 40 Big Ones summed it all up. Dread sporadically continued releasing albums, which were still bought by hardcore fans. He also continued touring, playing to small, but avid audiences. His last show was at a Canterbury club, on March 13, 1998. As the set finished, the consummate performer turned to the audience and said, "Let's hear it for the band.
They were his final words.
As the mighty Judge walked offstage, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY VERY MUCH
AT FRIENDS GONETOOSOON
peter stewart
northern soul dance champion 1977/2009
Merry xmas to the big man from snodland, you was one in a million. bless up Alex Rest In Peace. The King Of Ska And Reggae!! Nuff Love..
..It Only Takes a Memory
∗.⋆. .⁂...*.*.∗.*.*...⁂. .⋆.∗
I cry for you each night and day
Im sorry, i just do
For it only takes a memory
And my heart aches more for you
∗.⋆. .⁂...*.*.∗.*.*...⁂. .⋆.∗
Sometimes it hurts me so bad
Where i just cant take no more
To me life is so cruel
Everyday feels like a chore
∗.⋆. .⁂...*.*.∗.*.*...⁂. .⋆.∗
Before i go to bed at night
I always kneel and pray
Please take away the pain i feel
And help me through another day
copyright� Vicky Deaville
∗.⋆. .⁂...*.*.∗.*.*...⁂. .⋆.∗
♥__LOVE CLARE__♥
♥_Miss Me - But Let Me Go_♥
*ღ.......*ღ*.......*ღ*.......*ღ*.......ღ*
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free.
*ღ..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........ღ*
Miss me a little, but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
*ღ..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........ღ*
For this journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It's all a part of the Master's plan,
a step on the road to home.
*ღ..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........ღ*
When we are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.
*ღ..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........*ღ*..........ღ*
♥__LOVE CLARE__♥
AN ETERNAL BOND
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There is a bond that you can't see
for it's not bound with twine.
It's formed from strands within our souls,
this love that's yours and mine.
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When I went home to be with God,
you must now understand,
I took with me this bond of love
and I still hold that strand.
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So look now at my photograph.
The smile, you'll quickly see.
But only hearts can see the strand
forever binding You and Me.
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Enjoy the precious memories
although we are apart.
We'll share more joys again one day.
I believe that with all my heart!
●══════════◄►══════════●
Ⓒ Ferna Lary Mills
♥___LOVE CLARE___♥
♥___SWEET DREAMS ANGEL WITH LOVE___♥
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★ Now darkness has fallen ★
★ And the cloud's hide in the sky ★
★ I shall say Night Night ★
★ For you Angel up high ★
☆ ◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆ ◦˚◦ ★*☆◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆
★ Just put your head on God's pillow ★
★ And God will give you a kiss ♥
★ For you are our Angel ★
★ Who we all love and miss ★
☆ ◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆ ◦˚◦ ★*☆◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆
♥ ♥ ♥ Sweet dreams Beautiful Angel ♥ ♥ ♥
☆ ◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆ ◦˚◦ ★*☆◦˚◦ ★ ◦˚◦ ☆
copyright� Jackie Thomas 06/03/2010.
♥___LOVE AS ALWAYS CLARE___♥
♥___PERFECT LITTLE BUTTERFLY.......♥
. _ \./ _
(._\.|./_.)
(._/.|.\_.)
DID YOU SEE THE BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY FLUTTER RIGHT ON BY
IT WAS ONLY A TINY THING BUT IT FLEW RIGHT INTO THE SKY
THE BUTTERFLY WAS SO PERFECT FLYING ALL AROUND
IT LET ME SEE ITS PRETTY FACE WHEN IT LANDED ON THE GROUND
. _ \./ _
(._\.|./_.)
(._/.|.\_.)
THEN ONCE AGAIN IT FLEW AWAY INTO THE SKY SO BLUE
I AM SURE THAT TINY BUTTERFLY WAS BRINGING A MESSAGE FROM YOU
I KNOW THE SPIRIT OF THE ONES WE LOVE LIKE TO SHOW US THEY ARE NEAR
SO THE PERFECT TINY WHITE BUTTERFLY WAS MY ANGEL THAT IS CLEAR
. _ \./ _
(._\.|./_.)
(._/.|.\_.)
THANKYOU FOR LETTING ME SEE YOU I KNOW IT WAS ONLY FOR A LITTLE WHILE
BUT THAT PERFECT LITTLE BUTTERFLY REALLY MADE ME SMILE
ANOTHER GIFT FROM HEAVEN THAT OUR ANGELS ARE ABLE TO GIVE
THE BUTTERFLY RESEMBLES LOVE AND PURITY AND IT IS WHERE AN ANGELS SPIRIT CAN LIVE.......
copyright� Rosalind Roberts 2/3/2010
. _ \./ _
(._\.|./_.)
(._/.|.\_.)
♥__LOVE CLARE__♥
♥___SWEET DREAMS ANGEL___♥
BLOWING MY KISSES TO YOU.....
SHINE BRIGHT FOR ME MY ANGEL LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO
THEN I CAN LOOK TOWARDS THE DARKENED SKIES AND BLOW KISSES TO YOU
YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU MORE THAN WORDS CAN EVER SAY
YOU ARE IN MY HEART NIGHT AND DAY
YOU KNOW I ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BRIGHTEST STAR EACH NIGHT
I LOVE TO SEE THE SHEER BEAUTY OF YOUR GLORIOUS LIGHT
YOU ALWAYS GIVE OFF SUCH AN AMAZING GLOW
IS THE STAR IN THE SKY OR IS IT YOUR HALO
WORDS JUST NEVER SEEM TO BE ENOUGH FOR THE ONE I ADORE
NO OTHER PERSON IN THIS WORLD COULD EVER MISS YOU MORE
GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL NOW ITS TIME FOR YOU TO REST
KNOWING THAT IN HEAVEN THEY HAVE GOT THE BEST......
copyright� Rosalind Roberts 26/2/2010
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♥__LOVE ALWAYS CLARE__♥
♥ SO FAR APART ♥
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_________________
So far apart
day after day,
Hours, slip into days,
Life so empty and dark,
Oh why, did you go away
Silently i pray
for just another day,
When the sun comes out to play,
Instead the skies are grey,
My darling Angel
Ask god, what did i do!
Why do i exist, without you,
Just one more chance
Again to dance,
At your smile to glance
To hold your hand,
Before me stand,
My darling Angel
Gone too soon, Far to young,
So far apart.
Copyrite Anne Ellender
LOVE ALWAYS
CLARE x x x
Bed time kisses full of love..❤ ❤ ❤
For a beautiful Angel..❤ ❤ ❤
In heaven above❤ ❤ ❤
Bed time kisses..❤ ❤ ❤
Sent for you..❤ ❤ ❤
Just to say we love you too❤ ❤ ❤
Bed time kisses..❤ ❤ ❤
All wrapped up with love❤ ❤ ❤
For a precious Angel..❤ ❤ ❤
Up above❤ ❤ ❤
Bed time kisses..❤ ❤ ❤
For our Angel we miss..❤ ❤ ❤
Here my Angel..❤ ❤ ❤
Is an extra kiss ❤
♥ ☆ ♥ ☆ ♥ ☆ ♥ ☆ ♥ ☆ ♥
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┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ♥ ☆ ♥
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ★★ ★♥
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ★★ ★♥
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ★★ ★♥
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ┊
┊ ┊┊ ┊┊ ★★ ★Bed time kisses♥
┊ ┊┊ ┊★
┊ ┊┊
┊ ┊┊ ★For a special Angel♥
┊ ┊★
┊ ★We love and miss♥
┊
★Always♥
copyright� Jackie Thomas
♥ღ♥ My Angel ♥ღ♥
♥ღ♥ You'll always be my angel
Of happiness and love
You'll always be my angel
Looking at me from above.
I miss you a lot
And I wish you could have stayed,
But I thought
It's better for you, so I prayed.
And I keep praying
And thinking
But also crying
And leaking.
It was tearing me apart
Before I actualy knew
Through those golden gates
Those angel guards were you.
You were everything
That you could possibly be
And now that I think of it
Why was I only thinking about me?
You'll always be my angel
Of happiness and love
You'll always be my angel
Looking at me from above.
I see
You watching over me
And hear
You speaking to me
I won't
Give up and not care
I will
Move on and be fair.
As I think about you
I might be sad for a while
But as I think again My Angel
I see your happy smile
Smiling down at me
Through the clouds
And through the sky
I've left the ground
And just died.
I'm coming to be with you
And God, too.
You'll always be my angel
Of happiness and love
You'll always be my angel
Looking at me from above ♥ღ♥
By Mystykka Mysterious
LOVE AS
ALWAYS
CLARE
x x x
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There have been 27 candles lit for Alex.
