From the era of the 1970's and going into the 1980's Stereophonic sound system played an important task in the expansion of Dancehall sound systems. The sound system had started out around the year of 1976 and was known at that time as Sir John The President because of its keeper at that time known as Big John. It was based in the east of Kingston Jamaica, near Windward Road. In mid-1979 they moved a short distance to their new nerve center called Bionic Lawn, also on Windward Road.
Their chief DJ's at that time was Welton Irie, and in 1977 the Stereophonic massive consisted of Welton Irie, Colonel Flux as selector and sometimes would DJ still, and box boys Papa Dennie and Donovan. The last two would soon perform as DJ's on the set in years to come. It was at this time Madoo was brought in to Welton Irie at the Bionic Lawn by his bredrin Scarley, and he later was impressed by the DJ with his singing, so much so that Madoo got on the sound system at the next dance.
With Welton and Madoo at the wheel the sounds demand continued to expand and another piece of the puzzle fell into place with the emergence of DJ General Echo. He had first tried his luck with his own set, which was known as Echotone, before making his way onto the Ray Symbolic Hi Fi. He advanced his own standout style, which joined storytelling, impersonations, gags mixed with a penchant for dirty lyrics.
Echo's drive on the microphone combined with the singing of Madoo, demonstrated to be a big hit with the Dancehall massive.
Even when Welton moved on to Gemini, the crowds, in particular in the countryside, flocked to the many Stereophonic sessions to catch the dynamic duo live.
According to Madoo, the philosophy of hands-on owner Big John was, maybe initially, that only Echo and Madoo should control the mic, not even Flux.
DJ Jah Scott, who was the Stereophonic hanger oner, was often chased away from the control tower by owner Big John when trying to get a turn on the mic. Luckily though Donovan, Django, General Echo's student Papa O Lord and eventually Jah Scott did manage to progress through the ranks and they could often be seen playing on the sound from 1979 forward.
Uniquely for a sound system they also gave opportunities to female DJ's. Possibly the best known, Sister Nancy was only 15 years old when she started on Stereophonic. Others like Sister Charm/Charmaine, Sister Pauline and Echo's one time girlfriend Sister Blossom aka Flora Lee also appeared on the set occasionally.
Colonel Flux was the main selector for the sound but he was helped in time by Papa Dennie, Parson, Fletcher, Jungle, mixer Solgie and later Big John's step sons Dennis and Boogie linked the crew.
During the election year of 1980 the political violence between Jamaica's two main parties was rife. Hundreds were killed throughout this year and on 22nd November, General Echo, Big John and Colonel Flux were travelling on Constant Spring Road in Big John's Lincoln Continental when they were stopped by police who then opened fire on the occupants killing all the passengers.
Even after this catastrophic event Stereophonic managed to continue with Big John's son Rocky taking over the executive of the sound with Rattigan helping him out. A large memorial dance was held at the Tivoli Centre in the aftermath of the tragedy and the sound managed to carry on until 1983. It was in this year that Madoo decided to immigrate to America and now with all the main players departed, this was in all probability the last straw for Stereophonic, one of Jamaica's most influential Dancehall sounds
Their chief DJ's at that time was Welton Irie, and in 1977 the Stereophonic massive consisted of Welton Irie, Colonel Flux as selector and sometimes would DJ still, and box boys Papa Dennie and Donovan. The last two would soon perform as DJ's on the set in years to come. It was at this time Madoo was brought in to Welton Irie at the Bionic Lawn by his bredrin Scarley, and he later was impressed by the DJ with his singing, so much so that Madoo got on the sound system at the next dance.
With Welton and Madoo at the wheel the sounds demand continued to expand and another piece of the puzzle fell into place with the emergence of DJ General Echo. He had first tried his luck with his own set, which was known as Echotone, before making his way onto the Ray Symbolic Hi Fi. He advanced his own standout style, which joined storytelling, impersonations, gags mixed with a penchant for dirty lyrics.
Echo's drive on the microphone combined with the singing of Madoo, demonstrated to be a big hit with the Dancehall massive.
Even when Welton moved on to Gemini, the crowds, in particular in the countryside, flocked to the many Stereophonic sessions to catch the dynamic duo live.
According to Madoo, the philosophy of hands-on owner Big John was, maybe initially, that only Echo and Madoo should control the mic, not even Flux.
DJ Jah Scott, who was the Stereophonic hanger oner, was often chased away from the control tower by owner Big John when trying to get a turn on the mic. Luckily though Donovan, Django, General Echo's student Papa O Lord and eventually Jah Scott did manage to progress through the ranks and they could often be seen playing on the sound from 1979 forward.
Uniquely for a sound system they also gave opportunities to female DJ's. Possibly the best known, Sister Nancy was only 15 years old when she started on Stereophonic. Others like Sister Charm/Charmaine, Sister Pauline and Echo's one time girlfriend Sister Blossom aka Flora Lee also appeared on the set occasionally.
Colonel Flux was the main selector for the sound but he was helped in time by Papa Dennie, Parson, Fletcher, Jungle, mixer Solgie and later Big John's step sons Dennis and Boogie linked the crew.
During the election year of 1980 the political violence between Jamaica's two main parties was rife. Hundreds were killed throughout this year and on 22nd November, General Echo, Big John and Colonel Flux were travelling on Constant Spring Road in Big John's Lincoln Continental when they were stopped by police who then opened fire on the occupants killing all the passengers.
Even after this catastrophic event Stereophonic managed to continue with Big John's son Rocky taking over the executive of the sound with Rattigan helping him out. A large memorial dance was held at the Tivoli Centre in the aftermath of the tragedy and the sound managed to carry on until 1983. It was in this year that Madoo decided to immigrate to America and now with all the main players departed, this was in all probability the last straw for Stereophonic, one of Jamaica's most influential Dancehall sounds
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