Fitzroy Ernest Wilson was born on November 18, 1951, he was just a teenager (12 years old) when he formed the Clarendonians with his childhood friend, Peter Austin (who would also record with “The Soul Lads”), in 1963. They entered the Talent Contest circuit which was very active in those days scoring a number of victories, and recorded their debut single, "A Day Will Come", at Federal Records with producer Leslie Kong of Beverley’s Records.
The duo performed with Freddie McGregor when it was suggested by record producer Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd that they do so. A powerhouse singer, McGregor, nicknamed 'Little Freddie' at the time, was just seven years old. Dodd paired McGregor with Ernest Wilson as 'Fitzy and Freddy' on the hit single "Why Did You Do It."
The duo became one of the most successful ska and early reggae acts in Jamaica. Although singing together for a short period, they delivered hits such as You Can’t Be Happy, Darling Forever, You Won't See Me, You Can't Keep A Good Man Down, Stand By Me, Rudie Bam Bam, Rude Boy Gone A Jail, "Sho-Be-Do I Love You", "Do Good", and "Goodbye Forever"
Austin became disaffected with Dodd in the late 1960s and went on to record as a solo artist for producer Ken Lack, also recording a couple of tunes for producer Phil Pratt, but failed to match the success of his colleagues. He went on to work as an aviation supervisor at the Norman Manley International Airport. Wilson embarked on a solo career in 1967, releasing the single "Money Worries". Further singles followed, with "Undying Love", "Storybook Children", and "If I Were a Carpenter" in 1968 (all produced by Coxsone Dodd), "Private Number" (for Joe Gibbs), and "Freedom Train" (for Lee "Scratch" Perry - one of the first Jamaican singles ever to be released in stereo) in 1969.
In 1969, he got back together with sometime Clarendonian Freddie McGregor in the duo 'Ernest Wilson & Freddy', releasing the singles "Sentimental Man" and "Love Makes the World Go Round", and later "What You Gonna Do About It" and "Let Them Talk". One of Wilson's biggest International Hit single, "Let True Love Be", (1976), was done alongside Harold Butler & Four Corners. It was featured on Butler's 1978 Album, "The Butler Did It". Wilson was also briefly a member of The Techniques. Wilson produced timeless tracks throughout his career, including "I Know Myself," considered one of reggae’s best, and contributed backing vocals for artists like #BeresHammond and #InnerCircle. In the late 1980s and beyond, Wilson released several solo albums, such as Love Revolution and Promise Me, maintaining his strong influence in the island's Reggae music..
Ernest Wilson left us on November 3, 2021 but his contribution to Jamaican music live on, capturing the spirit of ska and reggae in unforgettable ways. His legacy remains embedded in the heart of reggae history.
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