With over 40 years of experience in reggae in Jamaica and the United States, Clinton Fearon is a legend of the genre who still believes in his music’s power to heal.
Fearon’s voice is smooth and melodic as he speaks over the phone, his Jamaican accent only a bass line short of qualifying as a groove. For all his experience Fearon has a charming humble quality about him and speaks more of his audiences’ interaction with his music than his own illustrious career.
In 1969, while living in Kingston, Jamaica, Fearon joined legendary reggae group The Gladiators at age 18, playing bass and singing backup. Fearon played with the band for 18 years until, during a tour of the United States, he decided to settle down in Seattle and start up The Defenders. Now, with yet another new band, Boogie Brown, Fearon spends most of his time touring North America and Europe, spreading his message of universal love and peace.
With his new album Mi Deh Yah, a Jamaican phrase meaning “I am here,” Fearon is continuing his modus operandi of traditional reggae, heavy on themes of love and social commentary. Fearon laughed describing the album as “the same old song” but went on to explain the timeless and universal nature of the genre and its quest to urge us “to pay attention to our surroundings, don’t forget to love ourselves, love one another. Take care, basically.”
Fearon holds a lit match on the cover of the album but viewers don’t get to see what he’s crouched over, ready to light. It could either be a bomb, lit in an act of political defiance, or something else altogether, lit perhaps in the spirit of peace and good vibrations. Fearon walks both lines, celebrating common bonds between humans while drawing attention to the world’s ills and changes that need to take place. The album’s title was chosen to imply being alive, keeping the fire burning, paying attention and approaching life with encouragement.
“It’s about my story and about the people’s story,” said Fearon. “Wherever you go in the world there are good people and we are so close as a people and a whole, we are so close, we can relate to almost the same things each time.”
Everything to do with the creative process of music appeals to Fearon, but he said that playing live is when it all comes together. He loves seeing people come to his shows, forget about their problems and dance.
“Seeing and feeling people enjoying it, getting something of value out of it, that’s the reward right there,” said Fearon. “Don’t forget to enjoy yourself, take a breather, because tomorrow you’re still going to have to face it.”
Fearon will be playing an acoustic set with guitarist Mark Oi Saturday, March 5 at Rodmay Heritage Hotel. Tickets are $13 pre-sale or $15 at the door and are available at Ecossentials, Rodmay Liquor Store or Manzanita Restaurant. Doors open at 8 pm.
