Beverley’s Records: Jamaica’s Ice-Cream Parlour that Launched Reggae
Description
In the early 1960s, the Kong family ran Beverley’s Restaurant, Ice-Cream Parlour & Record Shop at 135A Orange Street, Kingston—a hub in Jamaica’s emerging music scene. One day in 1961, a teenage Jimmy Cliff auditioned his song “Dearest Beverley” outside the shop. Leslie Kong, impressed, recorded it and paired it with “Hurricane Hattie.” This single became Beverley’s first big hit and launched both Cliff’s career and the label itself.
PLAYLIST
Leslie Kong – I'm in a Rocking Mood (Alternate Version)
Jimmy Cliff – Hurricane Hattie
The Melodians – Rivers of Babylon
The Gaylads – It's All in the Game
Ken Boothe – It's Gonna Take a Miracle
Peter Tosh, The Wailers – Stop the Train
The Pioneers – Samphie Man
Bruce Downer – Free the People
Delroy Wilson – Got To Get Away
The Maytals – 54-46 That's My Number
The Pioneers – Money Day
The Wailers – Back Out
Desmond Dekker & The Aces, Desmond Dekker, ACES – Israelites
Ansel Collins – Sentimental Journey
The Maytals – Peeping Tom
Beverley’s Allstars – Be Yours
The Pioneers – Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)
Desmond Dekker & The Aces – 007 (Shanty Town)
The Maytals – Sweet and Dandy
Lloyd Clark – I Love You the Most
Ken Boothe – Freedom Street
United States
