Folkes Brothers

The Folkes Brothers are a Jamaican group, composed of John Folkes (the lead singer), Mico Folkes, and Eric Joseph ("Junior") Folkes, and are the originators of the hit single "Oh Carolina".[1]

History

The group's 1961 single "Oh Carolina" was originally written by John Folkes about a previous love interest, with some collaboration of the other two brothers. Initially, it was agreed that Mico Folkes, was to be the lead on the song. However, John's voice was better suited for the song, and since it was a personal ode, made more sense for him to sing the lead. He also took the lead on "I Met A Man", a religious song written by John that appeared on the flip side. Mico Folkes, the eldest, took his brothers to Dukereid, a makeshift gathering spot to rehearse and record in Jamaica at the time. There, they met Prince Buster, who produced the hit record. The song is regarded as a landmark in the history of ska and reggae.

In 1994, John, Eric and Mico Folkes were involved in a legal dispute with Buster over the authorship of the song, after a cover version by Shaggy became an international hit.[2][3] It was eventually ruled by the High Court in London, England, that John Folkes held the copyright.[2][4] It was previously incorrectly stated that John Folkes assigned the copyright to Greensleeves so that Shaggy's Pure Pleasure album could be released. This included listing Henry Mancini as co-author, because it was alleged that Shaggy sampled the "Peter Gunn" theme song. However, John Folkes never agreed to this nor any assignment of the copyright to Greensleeves.

In 2011, the group (now including Mico Folkes and Eric J. Folkes only) recorded an album with their close musician friend, Jah D, in efforts to help promote his studio, while Jah D provided background music for 15 of the Folkes brothers' songs, solely written by Mico and Eric J. "Junior". The original group was created by all 3 brothers.

John Folkes passed away August 29, 2022 at the age of 80, survived by his wife and three children who all reside in Canada. [5] Mico Folkes currently resides in the Baltimore, MD area, and Eric J. ("Junior") Folkes visits him often from Jamaica. Despite the failure of past attempts, the remaining brothers look forward to making more music, and to include 2 of Mico's children, Mico Folkes, Jr. and Latreecia Petagaye Folkes.

Discography

Singles
  • "Oh Carolina" (1961)

Albums
  • Don't Leave Me Darling (2011)[6]

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 196. ISBN 0-7535-0149-X.
  2. "Jamaican Records Fill R&B Gap", Jamaica Gleaner, 20 July 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2014
  3. "The Folkes Brothers Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 21 July 2014
  4. Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Popular Music: An Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8, p. 113-4
  5. "Dr. John Courtney Knollys Folkes Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information".
  6. "Don't Leave Me Darling - The Folkes Brothers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 June 2021.


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