Noel Simms
Noel Simms | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Noel Bartholomew Simms |
| Also known as | Skully |
| Born | 18 March 1935 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 4 February 2017 (aged 81) Alligator Reef, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | Ska Rocksteady Reggae |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Percussion |
| Years active | 1953–2017 |
Noel Bartholomew Simms (18 March 1935 – 4 February 2017), better known by his nickname and artistic names Scully or Zoot, was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae percussionist and vocalist.
Biography
Born in the Smith Village area of
As a percussionist, he has performed as a member of several bands, including the Aggrovators,[4][5] the Upsetters,[5] the Revolutionaries, and Roots Radics,[1] and has recorded and performed with Big Youth, Peter Tosh (playing in the All-Star Band at the One Love Peace Concert),[4] Dillinger and the Heptones, playing on more than 200 albums between 1971 and 1985. He toured Europe with The Jamaica All Stars along with Justin Hinds, Johnny "Dizzy" Moore and Sparrow Martin.[6] He also played in a backing band for Jimmy Cliff. On recordings, he is credited under many different names, including: Noel "Scully" Simms, Noel "Skully" Simms, Scully, Scully Simms, Skullie, Skully, Skully Simms, Zoot "Scully" Simms, Mikey Spratt, Scollie, Zoot Sims, mr foundation and Skitter.
In 2004, along with his former singing partner Robinson, Simms received a Badge of Honour from the Jamaican government in recognition of their contribution to Jamaican music.[7]
Simms lost his sight to glaucoma. Despite this, he kept on recording and writing songs, including "Africa for the Africans".[8][9]
Simms died on 4 February 2017, having been diagnosed with lung cancer two years earlier.[10]
References
- ^ ISBN 0-7475-6847-2, p. 14, 15, 34, 321
- Jamaica Gleaner, 28 June 2004, retrieved 20 July 2010
- ISBN 0-87930-655-6, p. 334, 340, 348
- ^ ISBN 1-84353-329-4, p. 143, 153
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8021-3828-6, p. 326, 349
- Press Association, 17 August 2008 (reproduced at UnitedReggae.com), retrieved 20 July 2010
- ^ "2017 Entertainment Highlights - Bunny and Scully", Jamaica Observer, 6 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017
- Jamaica Gleaner, 21 December 2005, retrieved 20 July 2010
- Jamaica Gleaner, retrieved 20 July 2010
- ^ Campbell, Howard (2017) "Scully’s funeral on Sunday, March 26", Jamaica Observer, 13 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017
External links
- Scully Simms at Roots Archives
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