Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Romeo

Romancing the girls with his risqué lyrics, Max Romeo introduced Britain to a sex revolution. The overly-suggestive Wet Dream reached number 10 on the United Kingdom (U.K.) charts signalling the start of what should have been a huge career.

Although he had a number of very popular songs, Max Smith, aka Max Romeo, never won the appreciation he desired from local audiences. He toured the U.K. several times, releasing two albums, with A Dream being the better seller.

Exploring different genres, Romeo sang gospel, reggae and enjoyed a stint on Broadway with the play Reggae.

Distraught about the political climate of the country during the 1970s, Romeo encompassed the emotions of the people into the critically-acclaimed Let the Power Fall On I, which became a political anthem for the People's National Party.

After releasing several songs such as Babylon Burning, Romeo left music for many years in disillusionment and was all but forgotten in mainstream music.

In 1992 he returned with London producer Jah Shaka and recorded Far I Captain Of My Ship, which is thought to be his best album to date. Max Romeo lives as a family man, touring the world and still making music; his rude-boy image still intact.

Sunday Gleaner: Did you always want to do music?

Max Romeo: Yes, actually I started from I left school. I started singing in 1964 and started professionally recording in 1965.

Tell me about the talent competition you had entered when you were young.

I was living in Clarendon in Vere. I was standing on the corner and this van was travelling advertising a talent show. A friend of mine asked me why don't you enter, I tried and I came out on top. I did over a Bob Day song, Rocking Robin; that's what tore the house down. That motivated me to pursue my career.

How did you get the name 'Romeo' and why?

I have always been the type of guy to write love verses to girls in school. I loved Shakespeare, loved Romeo and Juliet. But how I got it, I was at the gate talking to this girl from morning to evening. Her father left and saw me there and came back and I was still there. He told me I was a 'Romeo'. The guys heard and started calling me that. Bunny Lee told me to use it as an artiste name.

How did you get involved with The Emotions?

Obviously that's the first group I recorded with. Lloyd Shakespeare and Kenneth Knight put the group together and we started recording for the Carltons. We brought in the other guys and we started recording. Our first track was I'll Buy You A Rainbow.

Why did you leave the group?

Eventually we started having disagreements in terms of decisions. I wanted one thing, they wanted another, the group split and I started recording for Bunny Lee under the name Romeo.

Is there anything that you regret in your career?

Not really. I enjoy the time in the streets. I'm one of the disadvantaged artistes in the business. I had to migrate to get recognition. I don't get airplay, awards, nothing with all the hits I had. I have to depend on the French, Europeans to keep me going over the years. But I tour regularly, have beautiful children, a roof over my head, so I'm OK.

What's next for you?

I just acquired a new manager. I was off the circuit deliberately for some months. I want to start touring again. I built a studio in my house to record my children, my community. The last album I did my daughter wrote a song The Children Are People Too.

How would you like to be remembered?

As the saddest man who makes the world happy ... It's kind of hard to explain.

What is your most memorable experience in the business?

Working alongside the Rolling Stones and swapping experiences. They worked on my album, I worked with theirs.

How did that come about?

It came about during the Broadway thing. I met some high-profile people. Rolling Stones was interested. I did back-up on a track for them, they worked with me.

Why did you bow out of the music for a few years in the '80s?

I was turned off because of what happened between me and Island Records over royalties that I wasn't getting. I walked away for three years. I was disillusioned, angry wid the business. My kids talked me into coming back.

What is your greatest accomplishment in music?

To buss in the European market. My status in Europe is big. I have all of Europe saying Max Romeo.

Do you perform in Jamaica regularly?

I haven't done much work in Jamaica. I can't do a show with 50 artistes on one show. I can't sing two songs and come off. I feel insulted, so I just tour.

What do you think has changed the most in the music business since your days?

Everything. There's no more music. Theres no 'm' in music, it's only 'u' sick. Everything has changed. There are no producers, just reducers. No managers, but damagers. In my days, we didn't have this. If you think I'm joking, listen to music in the '60s and '70s; you will see the difference.