Junior Byles

Junior Byles

1799 fans

Real name Kerry Byles (Kenneth Thaddeus William Byles, Jr.), Jamaican reggae singer Junior Byles was born in Kingston on February 2, 1948. A member of The Versatiles in the 1960s, he embarked on a solo career in the early 1970s, becoming a central figure in conscious, spiritual reggae. In 1972, he collaborated with renowned producer Lee "Scartch" Perry on the track "Beat Down Babylon " and the album of the same name, followed in 1974 by the ballad "Curly Locks", which established his reputation in the UK. Other singles followed, including the international hit "Fade Away". Mentally ill, Junior Byles attempted suicide after learning of the death of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie on August 27, 1975. Between frequent hospital stays, he returned to the studio to record his second album, Jordan (1976), and made several attempts to return to the stage. The death of his mother in a house fire again hampered his career for several years. Settling in the United States with his family, he released a number of singles and then set to work on the album Rasta No Pickpocket (1986). Lacking success, the singer had to beg on the streets before resurfacing with a few singles and concerts between the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the following decade. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, Junior Byles received support from artists such as Bounty Killer to cope with the costs of the disease. He died on May 15, 2025 at the age of 77.

Top tracks

17
Beat Down Babylon
Lee "Scratch" Perry
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:35
Writer: George Meikle - Junior Byles - Lee Perry / Composers: George Meikle - Junior Byles - Lee Perry
08
The Long Way
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
04:02
Composers: Lee "Scratch" Perry - Junior Byles
11
It Was a Long Way
Junior Byles
A Long Way
02:59
08
Fade Away
Junior Byles
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
03:00
Composers: Earl Smith
03
Dreader Locks
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:48
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
01
Thanks And Praise
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:10
Composers: Junior Byles
31
Fade Away
Junior Byles
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:01
01
Curley Locks
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:03
Writer: Junior Byles - Pauline Morrison / Composers: Junior Byles - Pauline Morrison
10
Africa Stand
Dennis Alcapone
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:51
Writer: Dennis Alcapone / Composers: Dennis Alcapone
22
Fever
Junior Byles
The Wonderman Years
02:53
Writer: John Davenport - Eddie Cooley / Composers: John Davenport - Eddie Cooley
03
Pitchy Patchy
Junior Byles
Junior Byles & Friends 129 Beat Street Kgn, Ja-Man Special 75-78
02:49
Composers: Dudley 'Manzie' Swaby
02
Know Where You're Going
Junior Byles
Junior Byles & Friends 129 Beat Street Kgn, Ja-Man Special 75-78
02:47
Composers: Dudley 'Manzie' Swaby
08
Africa
Junior Byles
A Long Way
02:55
19
King Of Babylon
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:07
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
01
Chant Down Babylon
Junior Byles
Junior Byles & Friends 129 Beat Street Kgn, Ja-Man Special 75-78
06:17
Composers: Dudley 'Manzie' Swaby
04
Remember Me
Junior Byles
Junior Byles & Friends 129 Beat Street Kgn, Ja-Man Special 75-78
05:54
Composers: Dudley 'Manzie' Swaby
05
Place Called Africa
Junior Byles
King Scratch (Musical Masterpieces from the Upsetter Ark-ive)
02:42
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Junior Byles - Lee Perry
01
(Festival) Da Da
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:31
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
06
Informer Men
Junior Byles
The Wonderman Years
02:58
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
05
I Don't Know
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:55
08
Joshua's Desire
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
01:59
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
03
Don't Know Why
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:46
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
18
Education Rock
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:16
Writer: Junior Byles - Lee Perry / Composers: Junior Byles - Lee Perry
09
A Matter Of Time
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:13
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
11
Come Da Da
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:03
Writer: Junior Byles - Lee Perry / Composers: Junior Byles - Lee Perry
02
I've Got A Feeling
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:25
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
21
Got the Tip
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:38
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
10
Poor Chubby
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:35
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
13
Righteous Oily
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:16
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
04
Demonstration
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:34
Composers: Lee Perry
05
Coming Again
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:47
Composers: Junior Byles
26
Another Moses
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:18
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
27
Rub Up Festival '71
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:09
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
24
Pharaoh Hiding
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:51
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
22
Fever
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:54
Writer: John Davenport - Eddie J. Cooley / Composers: John Davenport - Eddie J. Cooley

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  • Discography
Albums
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
2023 â„— 2023 Earl Chinna Smith/Serious Reggae/DubShot Records
07-07-2023
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
01
Beat Down Babylon (feat. Freddie McGregor, Mykal Rose)
Inner Circle
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
03:54
Writer: George Meike - George Miekle - Jean Perez - Kenneth Byles - Kenneth Thadeus Byles / Composers: George Meike - George Miekle - Jean Perez - Kenneth Byles - Kenneth Thadeus Byles
02
I Don't Know
Kai Wakeling
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
04:12
Writer: Kenneth Byles / Composers: Kenneth Byles
03
Heart and Soul
Matrujah
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
03:14
Writer: Kenneth Byles / Composers: Kenneth Byles
04
Chant Down Babylon
Delphine
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
04:08
Writer: Kenneth Byles / Composers: Kenneth Byles
05
Fade Away
Chiney KiKi
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
04:06
Writer: Astley Fullwood - Carlton Davis - Earl Smith - Theophilus Beckford / Composers: Astley Fullwood - Carlton Davis - Earl Smith - Theophilus Beckford
06
Long Way
Marlon Brown
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
04:07
Writer: Kenneth Byles / Composers: Kenneth Byles
07
King of Babylon
Color Red
Still Beating Down Babylon (Junior Byles Tribute)
03:14
Writer: Kenneth Byles / Composers: Kenneth Byles
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Babylon
(P) 2012 Ackee Dist.
04-04-2012
Babylon
01
Jah Will Be Mine
Junior Byles
Babylon
03:07
Composers: Junior Byles
02
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles
Babylon
03:45
Composers: Junior Byles
03
Trial & Crosses
Junior Byles
Babylon
03:22
Composers: Junior Byles
04
Order Of The Day
Junior Byles
Babylon
04:16
Composers: Junior Byles
05
Stick Of A Ounce
Junior Byles
Babylon
03:41
Composers: Junior Byles
06
I Don'T Know
Junior Byles
Babylon
03:54
Composers: Junior Byles
07
Babylon
Junior Byles
Babylon
02:50
Composers: Junior Byles
Access the complete album info (14 songs)
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
â„— 2024 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
11-02-1997
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
01
Curley Locks
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:03
Writer: Junior Byles - Pauline Morrison / Composers: Junior Byles - Pauline Morrison
02
Lock and Key (aka Golden Version)
The Upsetters
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:19
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
03
Dreader Locks
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:48
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
04
Militant Rock (Dreader Locks Version)
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:39
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
05
The Thanks We Get (1973 Version)
The Versatiles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:31
Writer: Lee Perry - Junior Byles / Composers: Lee Perry - Junior Byles
06
Xylophone Rock (The Thanks We Get Instrumental)
The Upsetters
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
03:11
Composers: Lee Perry
07
Now Generartion
Junior Byles
Curley Locks: The Upsetter Singles 1973-1975
02:40
Writer: Junior Byles - Lee Perry / Composers: Junior Byles - Lee Perry
Access the complete album info (23 songs)
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
â„— 2018 Omnivore Recordings, a division of Omnivore Entertainment Group, LLC.
01-01-1986
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
01
Thanks And Praise
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:10
Composers: Junior Byles
02
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:46
Composers: Junior Byles
03
Press Along
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:25
Composers: Junior Byles
04
I No Got It
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
04:19
Composers: Junior Byles
05
Cally Weed
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:42
Composers: Junior Byles
06
I Don't Know
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
03:58
Composers: Junior Byles
07
This Feeling (Bonus Track)
Junior Byles
Rasta No Pickpocket (Bonus Track Version)
04:48
Composers: Junior Byles
Access the complete album info (11 songs)
Jordan
(P) 1976 Observer Music
01-01-1976
Jordan
01
A Place Called Africa
Junior Byles
Jordan
02:53
02
Medley: Beat Down Babylon/Curly Locks
Junior Byles
Jordan
05:36
03
Mystic Revelation
Junior Byles
Jordan
03:11
04
Jordan
Junior Byles
Jordan
03:46
05
Burrie Boy
Junior Byles
Jordan
02:23
06
Lorna Banana
Junior Byles
Jordan
03:30
07
I Ain't Got It
Junior Byles
Jordan
03:19
Access the complete album info (9 songs)
A Long Way
(P) 1973 OBSERVER MUSIC
01-01-1973
A Long Way
01
Jah Will Be Mine
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:08
02
Rasta No Pickpocket
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:46
03
Trial and Crosses
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:23
04
Stick of a Ounce
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:42
05
I Don't Know
Junior Byles
A Long Way
03:55
06
Babylon
Junior Byles
A Long Way
02:51
07
Whip Them, Whip Them
Junior Byles
A Long Way
02:34
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
â„— 2020 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
10-04-1972
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
01
(Festival) Da Da
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
03:31
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
02
I've Got A Feeling
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:25
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
03
Don't Know Why
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:46
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
04
Demonstration
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:34
Composers: Lee Perry
05
Coming Again
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:47
Composers: Junior Byles
06
Beat Down Babylon
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:35
Writer: George Meikle - Junior Byles - Lee Perry / Composers: George Meikle - Junior Byles - Lee Perry
07
A Place Called Africa
Junior Byles
Beat Down Babylon (Expanded Version)
02:40
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Junior Byles - Lee Perry
Access the complete album info (28 songs)
Featured in
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
â„— 2005 VP Music Group, Inc.
26-04-2004
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
01
I Need A Roof
Mighty Diamonds
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
02:46
02
Don't Smoke The Seed
Michael Palmer
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:27
03
Right Time
Mighty Diamonds
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:11
04
Natty Dread Have Credentials
Don Carlos
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:36
05
Natty Burial
Lone Ranger
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:19
06
Woman Is Like A Shadow
Meditations
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
02:57
07
Road Block
Sammy Dread
Reggae Anthology: The Channel One Story
03:17
Access the complete album info (37 songs)
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
2008 VP Records
24-06-2008
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
01
Last War
Beres Hammond
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
04:00
02
Far East
Barry Brown
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
02:57
03
Babylon Too Rough
Gregory Isaacs
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
02:53
Composers: Gregory Isaacs
04
Forward Ever Backward Never
Jacob Miller
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
03:05
05
Up Park Camp
John Holt
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
03:35
Composers: John Holt
06
Stop The Fussing & Fighting (Brother)
Dennis Brown
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
04:16
07
Babylon
Sugar Minott
Total Reggae: Classic Roots
04:20
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
This Is Trojan Roots
This Compilation â„— 2018 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
22-06-2018
This Is Trojan Roots
01
Two Sevens Clash
Culture
This Is Trojan Roots
03:30
Writer: Joseph Hill - Ralph Walker - Roy Dayes / Composers: Joseph Hill - Ralph Walker - Roy Dayes
02
None Shall Escape the Judgement
Johnny Clarke
This Is Trojan Roots
03:14
Writer: Earl Zero / Composers: Earl Zero
03
Steppin' Out of Babylon
Marcia Griffiths
This Is Trojan Roots
04:05
Writer: Marcia Griffiths / Composers: Marcia Griffiths
04
Here I Come
Dennis Brown
This Is Trojan Roots
03:04
Composers: Dennis Brown
05
Dance in a Greenwich Farm
Cornell Campbell
This Is Trojan Roots
02:27
Writer: Cornell Campbell / Composers: Cornell Campbell
06
Mafia
Lloyd Parks
This Is Trojan Roots
02:55
Writer: Lloyd Parks / Composers: Lloyd Parks
07
His Majesty Is Coming
The In Crowd
This Is Trojan Roots
03:16
Writer: Fil Callendar / Composers: Fil Callendar
Access the complete album info (40 songs)
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
This Compilation â„— 2010 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-2010
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
01
Enter The Dragon
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
02:15
Writer: Lee "Scratch" Perry / Composers: Lee "Scratch" Perry
02
Hurt So Good
Susan Cadogan
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
03:06
Composers: Sam Mitchell
03
Babylon A Fall
Watty Burnett
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
02:38
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
04
Curly Locks
Junior Byles
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
03:01
Writer: Michael Anthony - Junior Byles / Composers: Michael Anthony - Junior Byles
05
Dreader Locks
Junior Byles
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
03:49
Writer: Junior Byles / Composers: Junior Byles
06
Stay Dread
Lee "Scratch" Perry
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
02:11
Composers: Lee Perry
07
Do It Baby (Nice and Easy) (7" Mix)
Susan Cadogan
Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Friends - The Black Ark Years (The Jamaican 7"s)
03:23
Composers: Lee Perry
Access the complete album info (44 songs)
Step Forward Youth
â„— 2018 VP Music Group, Inc
30-11-2018
Step Forward Youth
01
King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown
Augustus Pablo
Step Forward Youth
02:30
Composers: Augustus Pablo - H Swaby
02
Mafia
Lloyd Parks
Step Forward Youth
02:56
Writer: Lloyd Parks / Composers: Lloyd Parks
03
A Noisy Place
I Roy
Step Forward Youth
02:17
Writer: Roy Reid
04
Turn The Heater On
Keith Hudson
Step Forward Youth
03:24
Composers: Keith Hudson
05
Fade Away
Junior Byles
Step Forward Youth
03:33
Writer: Kerrie Byles / Composers: L Smart
06
None Shall Escape Dub
The Aggrovators
Step Forward Youth
03:30
Writer: Edward Lee
07
The Barber Feel It
Dr Alimantado
Step Forward Youth
03:30
Writer: Melbourne James
Access the complete album info (36 songs)
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
This Compilation â„— 2001 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
19-03-2002
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
01
People Funny Boy
Lee "Scratch" Perry
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:37
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
02
Tighten Up
The Untouchables
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:39
Writer: Derrick Harriott - Lee Perry / Composers: Derrick Harriott - Lee Perry
03
Return Of Django
The Upsetters
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:31
Writer: Lee Perry / Composers: Lee Perry
04
Dollar in the Teeth
The Upsetters
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:34
Composers: Lee Perry
05
Come Into My Parlour
Bleechers
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
03:08
Composers: Lee "Scratch" Perry
06
A Live Injection
The Upsetters
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
03:32
Composers: Lee Perry
07
Shocks Of Mighty
Dave Barker
A Live Injection: Anthology 1968-1979
02:49
Composers: Lee "Scratch" Perry
Access the complete album info (44 songs)
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
â„— 2009 VP Music Group, Inc
26-01-2009
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
01
Blood & Fire
Niney The Observer
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
03:00
02
Whole Lot Of Fire
Big Youth
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
03:17
03
The Coming Of Jah
Max Romeo
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
02:50
04
Rasta Bandwagon
Max Romeo
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
02:39
05
Rascal Man [False Rasta]
Delroy Wilson
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
03:05
06
Rasta No Born Yah [Extended]
Sang Hugh
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
06:19
07
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner / Clap The Barber
Mykal Rose
Reggae Anthology: Niney The Observer - Roots With Quality
05:24
Access the complete album info (40 songs)
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
â„— 2010 VP Music Group, Inc
03-05-2010
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
01
Dreadlocks Time/ Fist To Fist
Junior Byles
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
05:31
02
I Can't Stand The Rain/ Same Complaint
Hortense Ellis
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
07:12
03
Your Man
Dennis Brown
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
06:42
04
Natty Dread She Want/ Pain A Back
Delroy Melody
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
05:35
05
Sky Juice
Hugh Griffiths
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
06:22
06
Shake Your Body Down To The Ground
Ruddy Thomas
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
08:33
07
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
Derrick Lara
Joe Gibbs 12" Reggae Discomix Vol. 4
08:03
Access the complete album info (11 songs)