Judge Dread
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the comic book character, see Judge Dredd
Alexander Minto Hughes (2 May 1945 - 12 March 1998), better known as Judge Dread, was an English reggae and ska artist.
Born in Kent, Judge Dread was the first White British recording artist to get a reggae hit in Jamaica. He got his stage name from a Prince Buster song, and his first hits were inspired by Prince Buster's single, "Big Five".
The Guinness Book of World Records credits Judge Dread for having the most banned songs of all time. Many of his lyrics have sexual connotations, with one song "Big Five" using rhyme to suggest lewd words while not actually saying them. A series of songs with "Big" followed by a number were some of his most notable hits — all of them featuring sexual and humorous lyrics. It is unlikely that you will ever hear his music on mainstream radio because of the nature of his lyrics.
Judge Dread died on stage in The Penny Theatre, Canterbury. At first, his collapse was thought to be part of his humorous and lively stage act, but it was quickly discovered that he was really dead.
In the 1970s, tabloid newspapers expressed concerns that young fans of the comic character Judge Dredd might buy Judge Dread's records by mistake, and hear things that may corrupt their minds.
[edit] Quotes
- "Let's hear it for the band" (Dread's last words)
- "I've never been unhappy. It's not about fame or money, it's about getting the most out of life." (1997)
[edit] Discography
- "Big Six" (1972) - UK singles chart high - Number 11
- "Big Seven" - (1972) - Number 8
- "Big Eight" - (1973) - Number 14
- "Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus" - (1975) - Number 9 - Dread's cover version of the original UK chart-topper by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin
- "Big Ten" - (1975) - Number 14
- "Christmas In Dreadland" / "Come Outside" - (1975) - Number 14
- "The Winkle Man" - (1976) - Number 35
- "Y Viva Suspenders" / "Confessions Of A Bouncer" - (1976) - Number 76
- "5th Anniversary" (EP) - (1977) - Number 31 $
- "Up With The Cock" / "Big Punk" - (1978) - Number 49
- "Hokey Cokey" / "Jingle Bells" - (1978) - Number 8
- The tracks on the "5th Anniversary EP", were "Jamaica Jerk (Off)" / "Bring Back The Skins" / "End Of The World" / "Big Everything".
