Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

SPORTING A black top hat and gold suit, record producer Edward O'Sullivan 'Bunny Striker' Lee was arguably the most dapper of the recipients at yesterday's National Honours and Awards ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

Lee, 67, received the Order of Distinction (Officer class) for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music.

"It's great to be alive to get this award. I've gotten a lot around the world but this one is special because it's from home," Lee told The Gleaner.

Lee was one of reggae's top producers during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. He started his own labels after apprenticeships with producers Arthur 'Duke' Reid and Leslie Kong.

Keyboardist Glen Adams, who played on some of Lee's biggest hit songs, paid homage to his longtime friend.

One of a kind

"Bunny Lee is a one of a kind, he would use accidental things in the studio and make it work," said Adams, who came in from New York City for the ceremony.

Among Lee's early hit songs were Conversation with the Uniques. In the early 1970s he really made his mark with John Holt whose big hit, Stick By Me, he produced.

In 1971, along with Tommy Cowan, Lee produced Eric Donaldson's Cherry Oh Baby, which won the Festival Song contest. The following year Delroy Wilson's Better Must Come, which Lee produced, became an anthem for the People's National Party which won the general election in Jamaica that year.

Embraced roots-reggae

Lee was not restricted to mainstream hits. He embraced the rebellious feel of roots-reggae, producing hits by Johnny Clarke (None Shall Escape the Judgement, Move Outa Babylon), Horace Andy (Zion Gate) and Gorgon by Cornel Campbell.

Many of his songs from the early and mid-1970s featured the 'Flying Cymbal' sound, an uptempo beat led by drummer Carlton 'Santa' Davis of The Aggrovators, Lee's house band.

Lee continues to produce, but in the last 25 years has largely concentrated on licensing his catalogue in Europe and North America.

Cowan, another music industry veteran, also received an OD yesterday for his contribution to Jamaica's popular music. He has excelled as performer (with the Jamaicans), producer (of hit songs by Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus and Israel Vibration) and impressario.

Samuel Clayton of the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari, Cedella Marley-Booker, record producer Augustus 'Joe' Gibbs and former Mutual Life Gallery curator Pat Ramsay, also received the Order of Distinction.

Ms Booker, mother of reggae legend Bob Marley and Gibbs, died this year.

Sounds of Distinction

Bunny Lee was one of the first Jamaican record producers to license his songs with European companies like Trojan Records.

Cherry Oh Baby has been covered by the Rolling Stones and UB40.

Tommy Cowan produced Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus' hit song, New Name.

Some of Dennis Brown's biggest hit songs were produced by Joe Gibbs. They include How Can I Live, Love Has Found its Way and Ain't That Loving You.

Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Record producer, Bunny 'Striker' Lee in dapper form at yesterday's National Honours and Awards ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre.