Bunny "Striker" Lee, a legend in reggae music, has made an everlasting stamp on the genre with his talents. His legendary Burns Avenue recording facility in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, hosted an important celebration on July 1, which is known worldwide as International Reggae Day. The studio had a soft premiere for a museum dedicated to preserving and commemorating Lee's outstanding legacy.
The Bunny "Striker" Lee Museum houses a significant collection of relics from Lee's spectacular 60-year career. Visitors may admire his distinctive sailor hats, flashy clothes, and the actual recording equipment used to create several hit tunes. The museum's walls are filled with bright portraits of Lee and his contemporaries, including famed producers Clement Dodd, Duke Reid, Prince Buster, Leslie Kong, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Lloyd "King Jammy" James, and Chris Blackwell.
The museum's collection of instruments belonged to famous performers such as bass guitarist Robbie Shakespeare of Lee's Aggrovators band, guitarist Jerome "Jah Jerry" Haynes of The Skatalites, and keyboardist Jackie Mittoo. These exhibits provide visitors with a concrete connection to the rich history and evolution of reggae music.on.
Bunny Lee Jr, the producer’s son, announced that the museum's official opening will be next February, coinciding with Reggae Month—a time of celebration and reflection in Jamaica. This future opening promises to offer a comprehensive and enriching experience for reggae enthusiasts and cultural historians alike.
Bunny "Striker" Lee, who died in October 2020 at the age of 79 from kidney ailments, was a pivotal figure in reggae music. His career started in 1962 as a record plugger for Duke Reid's Treasure Isle label in Kingston. Lee's impact extended over time, resulting in iconic successes such as Eric Donaldson's "Cherry Oh Baby," Delroy Wilson's "Better Must Come," and John Holt's "Stick by Me."
Lee’s impact extended beyond Jamaica's shores. He played a crucial role in the United Kingdom’s reggae market, licensing his productions to the Palmer Brothers (Pama) and Trojan Records in the early 1970s. Lee was also a pioneer in the realm of dub music, collaborating with his friend and dub innovator King Tubby. Together, they experimented with groundbreaking production techniques, which Lee described as “implements of sound,” creating tracks that featured rhythm parts mixed with distorted or altered versions of songs.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Jamaican music, Bunny “Striker” Lee was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government in 2008.
The soft launch of the Bunny "Striker" Lee Museum on International Reggae Day is a fitting tribute to a man whose work has left a lasting legacy in the world of music. As the museum prepares for its grand opening next February, it stands as a beacon of cultural heritage, honoring the life and achievements of Bunny “Striker” Lee.
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