Pato Banton: The Biography

Introduction

This biography of Pato Banton charts his rise from the most disadvantaged of circumstances in his youth, through a long and successful career as a world renowned reggae star, back to his roots, and his commitment to work for the benefit of young people in his community.

The Background

Patrick Murray was born in London in 1961, and moved to Birmingham when he was 8. The house in which they lived became the local night spot during the weekends and Pato worked his way up from working on the door at the age of 9, to setting up and operating the sound system by the age of 13. By the age of 15 he started to gain his grounding in music on his stepfathers’ sound system called V-Rocket. Patrick would stay up all night entertaining the masses and was given the name Patoo by his stepfather. (The name derives from a small night owl in Jamaica, that stays up all night, calling “patoo, patoo.”)

By the age of 16 Ranking Pato became well known around Birmingham and would get regular work from various leading sound systems across the city. Within a short space of time Pato became the No 1 MC in Birmingham,
winning the title four years in a row. At the age of 18 Pato was invited to MC with a local roots reggae band called Crucial Music. In less than a year Pato became the mc, singer, songwriter, producer and band leader, taking the band on tours of the UK and Europe.

When Pato’s popularity as a British MC outgrew the popularity of the band, he was forced to move on……..

Early Career

During the early part of his career, Pato took part in a talent show, where he was judged the winner by Rankin Roger and Dave Wakelin of “The Beat”. This culminated in a duet, “Pato and Roger a go talk”, which featured on the Beat’s gold selling album “Special Beat Service”. Following this Pato featured on UB40’s Baggariddim album with tracks like “Hip-Hop Lyrical Robot” & “The King Step”.

During Pato’s first audition at Fashion Records, the producers were so impressed that they instantly changed his name to Pato Banton. (In DJ circles a “Banton” is a heavyweight lyricist, thus in England, Pato became “The Banton.”)

Pato’s first solo single, “Hello Tosh Got a Toshiba” reached number 3 in the independent reggae charts, and launched a string of successful projects with Fashion Records, Greensleeves Records, Island Records and the Mad Professor which is still regarded as an all time classic! Also, during this time Pato joined forces with one of London’s top MCs, Tippa Irie. Together they released an EP entitled “Double Trouble”, featured on each others albums and toured the UK, Europe and America extensively.

Hungry for the feel of performing live, Pato formed a new band of top local musicians and called them the Reggae Revolution. After a year of rehearsals and shows around the UK and Europe, Pato went on to record his first solo album “Never Give In” which was picked up by IRS Records in America. This album contains a number of collaborations with Steel Pulse, Ranking Roger and a track with Private Domain entitled “Absolute Perfection” which became number 1 in Peru.

Pato’s second album, in 1989 was titled “Visions of the World” and reflected his global experiences and inner growth. After tours with Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Burning Spear, Third World, Yellow Man, Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru and Steel Pulse, (to name a few) Pato secured his place and respect as a world class performer.

His third album demonstrated his strengthening spirituality and belief in people who can make a difference, was called “Wize up, (no compromise)”. This featured the talents of Peter Spence, Yasmin Alexander, Aswad’s Drummie Zeb, and guest vocalist, David Hinds of Steel Pulse. Following this album and associated worldwide tours, Pato’s live album, “Alive and Kicking All Over America”, was released in 1992. This album demonstrated the immense loyalty of his fans and his charisma in live shows.

Pato’s fourth album was “Universal Love”. This featured the talents of Macka B, Skipah & Ray Beshara. The track “Go Pato” which was inspired by fans chanting at his shows, became an international hit, especially South America and reached No1 in Puerto Rico and Brazil.

UK and Worldwide Chart Success

For the 1994, “Collections” album, Pato teamed up with Ali and Robin Campbell of UB40, to record, “Baby Come Back”, which became a hit worldwide and stayed at Number 1 for four weeks in the Uk Pop Charts.
It still stands as one of the biggest selling records in Brazil’s history.
Baby Come Back achieved top 5 rating in over twenty countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan, and across Europe.

His success continued with the follow up single “Bubbling Hot”, another duet with Rankin Roger, which was a top twenty hit in the UK.
In a re-mix of, “This Cowboy Song”, Pato joined up with Sting to earn this track a top ten place. On Top of the Pops in a show-stopping performance of the song, Pato and Sting were joined by Jimmy Nail and the Reggae Revolution. To round off a successful year, Pato collaborated with Sting once again, to record the Police classic, “Spirits in a Material World”, which was included on the soundtrack of the Jim Carey movie, “Ace Ventura: When Nature calls”.

The next album “Stay Positive”, was a blend of classic reggae sounds and more serious messages of universal love, unity and peace. From this album came the popular “Groovin”, which went top 5, not only in the UK but also across the world.

2000 (Time Of Change)

After almost four years of continuous touring, Pato stepped away from commercial success and continued on his path of Positivity. In the comfort of his own home studio, Pato recorded the album “Life is a Miracle” with long time friend & Producer Paul Horton. The Album was released by Surf Dog Records and gained a Grammy Nomination. This recording clearly demonstrates Pato’s lyrical & musical growth and the title track has become a worldwide anthem.

Due to an overwhelming demand, Pato also released 2 new live albums, “Ao Vivo No Brazil” & “Live at Maritime Hall”.
Following the release of these two albums in Europe, Pato was asked by Peter Gabriel’s organisation, WOMAD, to headline a series of shows across the world. Whilst on tour Pato was able to undertake workshops for disadvantaged children in many cities and was actually allowed inside a maximum security prison in Sicily, home of the Mafia, to lead a music session with young offenders.

During a grueling world tour that took Pato and his band to Australia, North & South America, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and Europe, Pato was informed that two of his sons had been shot in a drive by shooting. By the end of this tour Pato began to feel as though he had fulfilled his desire as an artist and needed to refocus his energies within his own community.

The year ended with Pato performing for young people at a Handsworth Community Fire Station, signaling his intention to scale down his career as a performer in order to put something back into his home city, to help the disadvantaged youth make something of their lives.

2001 –2002 Developing Work in the Community

Within months Pato’s work in the community became known across the city and Pato was invited to move his Gwarn International Studios into Matthew Boulton College. With a hand picked team Pato set up an exciting Music Department. They offered courses in Vocal Tuition, Dance, Keyboard and Guitar lessons, DJ Mixing and Music Technology. During this same period Pato created a community network called Musical Connections, helped to put computers in 16 youth centers (including centers for young offenders) and trained many community tutors to deliver basic courses in music technology.

Despite leaving school with no qualifications, Pato took the opportunity, at Matthew Boulton College, to advance his own education. He successfully completed his Level 1 & Level 2 Teaching Certificate, an Internal Verifier Certificate and has also completed a course in Counseling. In all of these, he was considered to be a star pupil.

By the end of 2002, Pato set up his own School of Musical Arts And Technology (SMAAT) and provided courses in community centers, schools and prisons.
2003-2005

Assistant Director of Creative Studies at South Birmingham College, Managing Director of Muzik Links, Director at Ishango Science School and Music Consultant at Lordswood Girls School are only a few of the roles Pato played over this period of time.

By the end of 2004 Pato set up a new band called “Players of Instruments” and after 6 months of touring began work on a new album.

After more than four years away from his career, the demand for Pato Banton to return is at an all time high, and with plans for another album, more tours and future collaborations, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for such a truly inspirational artist.

Presented by: Steve Hughes and Viv Taylor

::More About Pato::

Website: Not Availible

Music Sample: Give Me Oil

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