Induct Leslie Kong into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Leslie Kong
Leslie Kong

Everyone knows Bob Marley, and millions know of Jimmy Cliff, but far fewer know about Leslie Kong, the Chinese Jamaican recording engineer and producer who really helped create the 1960s ska and reggae sound.

Kong and Cliff teamed up to form Beverly's record label. Cliff was the first artist, and also acted as an A&R person. One of the early talents they recorded was Bob Marley. He also got Toots and the Maytals and Desmond Dekker on his label.

An early investor in Island Records, he helped export ska and reggae to the UK, where it would inspire punk and New Wave, as well as lead to the formation of numerous English ska bands that would go on to cover songs that Kong had recorded.

For these reasons, above, we think Leslie Kong should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

References:

(This petition is distributed by the BR Reading Group.)

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Leslie Kong

To: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
From: [Your Name]

Dear Board:

It's time to induct Leslie Kong into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though not well known outside of ska and reggae circles, he was the main producer who helped popularize ska and reggae to the world, and recorded many of the important songs, and artists, of the 1960s.