Dandy Livingstone

Dandy Livingstone, born Robert Livingstone Thompson in Kingston, Jamaica in 1943, is a pioneering figure in ska, rocksteady, and reggae music. He moved to London as a teenager and quickly became a key player in the UK’s Jamaican music scene, known for his smooth vocals and sharp production skills. Dandy first made waves with hits like “What a Life” as part of the duo Sugar & Dandy, cleverly created by double-tracking his own voice. He later found major success with the classic “Suzanne Beware of the Devil” and wrote “Rudy, A Message to You,” which became a hit for The Specials and a ska anthem.

Over the years, Dandy released albums on labels like Trojan and Mooncrest, worked with artists such as The Marvels and Nicky Thomas, and even stepped back from music for a time before returning with new material like “They Call Us Legends” and “The Vault Is Open.” His influence stretches from the early days of British reggae through the 2-Tone revival and beyond, making him a true legend of the genre.