R.I.P. Bunny Rugs, 1948-2014

Words by Saxon Baird and Jesse Serwer—

Reggae singer and Third World frontman Bunny Rugs has passed away after a brief bout with cancer. He was 65. Born William Clarke in East Kingston, Rugs began his long and celebrated vocal career in the 1960s. After a brief stint in New York City in the 1970s working with great multi-instrumentalist Glen Adams, Rugs returned to Jamaica to collaborate with legendary producers such as Lee “Scratch” Perry” and Sly & Robbie. In 1976, Rugs joined Jamaican reggae act Third World, featuring on the bulk of their most famous records, including the full-length 96 Degrees in the Shade and singles such as “Rhythm of Life,” and the Stevie Wonder co-written single “Try Jah Love” from 1982.

Rugs work a vocalist was not limited to his work with Third World. His debut solo LP To Love Somebody (1975) under the name Bunny Scott is a prime example of Lee Perry’s early Black Ark sound. The 1995 Jack Scorpio-produced LP Talking to You also finds Rugs in top form, underscoring his versatility working not just within reggae but R&B and soul as well. In the 2000s, Rugs continued to record and tour both solo and with Third World. Just last year, he joined Sly & Robbie on a number of gigs in the U.S.

Rugs’ life and career was truly marked by his versatility as a vocalist, both stylistically and thematically ranging from tales of heartbreak to the politically and socially charged. The balance he struck truly paved the way for current young Jamaican artists such as Chronixx, Keznamdi or Jesse Royal, who have found a similar balance in their own work.

Outside of his music, Rugs’ love for Jamaica was often publicly expressed. He was the spokesperson for the Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund, donating all profits for his 2012 single “Land We Love” the organization. Rugs also gave Large Up a tour of his favorite, must-see “backayard” spots in Jamaica a few summers ago.

We’ve singled out some of our favorite tracks from Rugs as a tribute to this great Jamaican singer, who will be sincerely missed.

Bunny & Ricky – “Bushweed Contrash” (1975)

Nothing may exemplify Rugs early work with Lee Perry than this great duo offering with Ricky Grant on the difficulties of obtaining high-grade ganja. Backed by Perry’s strangely minimal, bass-heavy production, Rugs and Grant’s vocals interplay for an engaging contrast. A sign of good things to come from Rugs and Perry.

Bunny Scott – “To Love Somebody” (1975)

Going by “Bunny Scott” at the time, this title track off his debut LP is backed, once again, by Lee Perry’s mastermind skills and the Upsetters. Rugs shows off his infectious, soulful vocal delivery with a tale about the weight of falling in love; a theme he would return to often in his work.

Third World-“1865 (96° In The Shade)” (1977)

Third World’s first album with Rugs as lead vocalist is often considered their best. The classic title track showcases the group’s knack for politically-charged lyricism with a tale about the Morant Bay Rebellion, an attack on occupying British authorities by Jamaicans in 1865. Arguably, this is the band’s signature tune.

Third World-“Jah Glory” (1977)

Third World were among the acts chosen to appear in the documentary, Beats Of The Heart – Roots, Rock, Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene. Their appearance included a spellbinding performance of 96° In The Shade tune “Jah Glory” capped off by Rugs’ heartfelt vocals.

Third World – “Now that We Found Love” (1978)

Bunny Rugs described Third World’s sound like this: “Strictly a reggae band, no. Definitely a reggae band, yes.” Along with Inner Circle (of which Cat Coore and Richard “Ibo” Cooper were members prior to forming Third World), the group were among the first to plug an uptown sensibility into reggae following its crystallization in the Kingston ghettos of the early ’70s. This took the form of both Cat Coore’s rock-inspired guitar work, and the band’s embrace of American R&B trends, including disco. Chief among these was their cover of the O’ Jays’ “Now That We Found Love,” the definitive version of a tune later covered by fellow Jamaican Heavy D.

Third World – Dancing on the Floor (1981)

Another brilliant hybrid of reggae and disco, 1981’s “Dancing on the Floor” was the basis for Third World’s first music video. The tune’s success landed them on the UK’s Top of the Pops, at a time when the group were being hailed as possible successors to Bob Marley and the Wailers’ position as reggae’s global ambassadors.

Third World – “Try Jah Love” (1982)

One of two tunes from 1982’s You’ve Got the Power co-written with Stevie Wonder (the other being the slept on “You’re Playing Us Too Close”—watch Bunny and Stevie jamming on that one in the studio here), “Try Jah Love” was a massive hit for Third World that even landed the group a performance on SCTV, the Canadian sketch series starring John Candy, among other comedic luminaries. Undoubtedly, the tune’s musical forays into soul and pop couldn’t have been complete with the versatile vocals of Rugs at the helm.

Bunny Rugs – “Land We Love” (2012)

Released in 2012, “Land We Love” is an ode to Jamaica released to celebrate the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence that year. All proceeds from the single went to the Jamaican Children’s Heart Fund (the charity for which he was a spokesman) and Chain of Hope. The breezy tune, featuring the sax work of his longtime friend Dean Fraser, spotlights Rugs’ strength as a vocalist even in his 60s.