PASSION-MUSIC-LIFE

Ernest Ranglin earned his reputation with a combination of hard work and innate musical prowess. In the late 50s, as guitarist in the Studio One Band, he started adding rhythm accents to the tunes Coxsone Dodd was producing, by playing muted upstrokes on his guitar.

That simple, scratchy lick became the characteristic sound of a new groove called ska. His playing also laid the foundation for reggae’s relaxed rhythm, ensuring Ranglin’s place in the pantheon of innovative guitarists.