Messenjah

Messenjah is a progressive Roots Reggae band that was founded in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada in 1981. The founding members were Rupert [Ojiji] Harvey (lead guitar and lead vocals), Errol [Skippah] Blackwood (bass guitar and lead vocals), Eric [Baby face] Walsh (rhythm guitar and vocals) and Ray [General] Ruddock (drums). Later Hal [Saint] Duggan joined the band on keyboard and vocals. That formed the core of the band. (Hal Duggan played with the band for many years before becoming a solo artist. He currently lives in Jamaica and performs under the name: Lazah Current). After a year of great success touring the university and college circuit in 1982 Messenjah traveled to California to record their debut album titled Rock You High. They put it all on the line and made great sacrifices as this was an independent production. Rock You High was re-released on the WEA label in 1983 and for the first time reggae was played on the mainstream radio. In 1984 the band returned to California to record their second album titled Session supported by a major label. Same year the title track Jam Session received significant air time and its music video got a lot of attention on national television. With support from friends, Peter and Michael Rose, the record was released and doing well when the band was contacted by Warner Music Canada (WEA). Messenjah became the first Canadian reggae band to be signed by a major record label. In 1985 Messenjah returned twice to their homeland, Jamaica, first to play at the World Youth Festival in Kingston, and then to play at Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay. Both events were very successful and the band was well received in their country of origin. Later Tony [Scraper] King joined the band to play percussions for the album. He stayed with the band for about a year before being replaced by Hailey Yates. Charles [Tower] Sinclair replaced Blackwood on the bass, and Walter [Crash] Morgan became the new drummer. Messenjah continued touring and recording under Harvey's leadership who performed most of the lead vocals, wrote and arranged most of the band’s material. In late 1985 Errol Blackwood and Ray Ruddock left the band. Blackwood pursued the solo career and was very successful touring and as a recording artist. Around the same time Messenjah made appearance in the movie Cocktail with Tom Cruise; they received much needed exposure and were able to tour more extensively, appearing at major venues in the USA and Canada. With a heavy tour schedule Messenjah decided to take time off the road and go back to the studio once again as an independent band as they were no longer with WEA. During that period the band came up with a Messenjah classic titled Cool Operator, and the single Crazy received a lot of air and video play in Canada. With several changes in the band's composition throughout the years (mostly drummers), Messenjah kept on touring and recording. In 1998 the band received the prestigious JUNO award for the CD titled Catch De Vibe. After playing at the Sky Dome for Nelson Mandela in 1998, the band members decided to go their separate ways, remaining good friends and appearing on stage together backing other artists. In June 2013 Warner Music Canada decided to re-release Messenjah’s Session album in digital format, timing it perfectly with a planned reunion. Juno Award Canadian Reggae Band that has been featured with Tom Cruise in movie Cocktail(1988) and appeared on stage with Nelson Mandela(1998)