Johnny Nash
Johnny Nash, born John Lester Nash Jr. on August 19, 1940, in Houston, Texas, was an influential American singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now," which marked a significant comeback in his career. Nash was one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica, and played a crucial role in introducing the genre to a broader audience.
Nash's musical journey began in his childhood when he sang in the choir at Progressive New Hope Baptist Church in Houston. He gained early exposure by performing R&B covers on a local variety show and later on Arthur Godfrey's radio and television programs. In 1957, Nash signed with ABC-Paramount and released his debut single, "A Teenager Sings the Blues." His early success included a chart hit with "A Very Special Love" and an appearance in the film "Take a Giant Step," for which he won a Silver Sail Award from the Locarno International Film Festival.
In the 1960s, Nash co-founded JoDa Records with his manager Danny Sims, and they later established JAD Records. Nash moved to Jamaica, where he immersed himself in the local music scene and signed Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Peter Tosh to exclusive publishing contracts. Although his initial productions with Marley and Tosh were not commercially successful, Nash's own recordings, such as "Hold Me Tight" and "Stir It Up," gained international acclaim.
Nash's career also included acting roles and composing music for films, such as the Swedish romance "Vill så gärna tro." Despite a period of relative obscurity, Nash experienced a brief resurgence in the mid-1980s with the album "Here Again." He continued to record music sporadically, maintaining a lasting legacy as a pioneer of reggae and a beloved pop and soul artist. Johnny Nash passed away on October 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas, leaving behind a rich musical heritage.
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