Laurel Aitken

Laurel Aitken was born in Cuba in 1927 and later became a key figure in Jamaican ska music. He moved to Kingston in the 1950s, where he absorbed local sounds like calypso and jazz, eventually helping shape what became known as ska.

His song "Skinhead" from 1965 became particularly well-known, connecting with the emerging skinhead subculture of the time. Other tracks like "Sally Brown" and "Apollo 12" also circulated widely, capturing the upbeat, danceable energy that defined early ska.

Aitken kept recording and performing for decades, maintaining a steady presence even as musical styles shifted around him. His work remained a reference point for later generations interested in ska's roots.