Listen: Joe Higgs / Hard Times Don’t Bother Me HardTimes.mp3

Joe Higgs was a seminal artist from the early days of ska, thru the heady days of Rastafarian reggae into the 80s, and a popular singer up until his death in late 1999. He had early hits with Roy Wilson under the duo name of Higgs & Wilson in the ska days, taught a young Bob Marley how to sing, and became a member of the Wailers during their 1st tour of America when Bunny Wailer got arrested for ganja possession just before they left.

His mid ’70s album, LIFE OF CONTRADICTION, is one of the 10 essential reggae albums any collection needs. It set a unique standard for song writing & production, featuring the intricate guitar work of a visiting Eric Gale, from America. With a voice that made the ladies swoon, every track on that album was a winner. It was released on Micron in JA and, in a slightly altered & muddier version, on Grounation in the UK which was the version reissued on CD by Pressure Sounds a few years ago. ‘Hard Times Don’t Bother Me’ is from that album, which also included an updated version of ‘There’s A Reward’, his early ’60s Higgs & Wilson ska hit.

Duane