London's Pioneer Soundman
Duke Vin was London's original soundman. Born Vincent George Forbes in Kingston, he was immersed in soundsystem culture right from the off. He grew up next door to the Success Club; its frequent dance events set the beat for his life to step to.
Changing a tyre for legendary Kingston selecter (DJ) Tom Wong changed his life when the DJ asked for his help in a set. He performed exceptionally and earned his role at Wong’s Sound System. The baptism of ‘Duke Vin’ came from beating former policeman Duke Reid in a soundclash. Despite offers from other selecters, Vin stayed loyal to Tom’s Sound System, before emigrating to London.
Vin stowed away on a ship bound for England in 1954 with his friend and fellow selecter, Count Suckle. The undocumented migrants settled in Ladbroke Grove. In stark contrast to the lively lifestyle that would follow, Vin worked for British Rail at first, later becoming an electrician.
Shocked by the dull nightlife in London, Vin decided to build his own soundsystem to play the sounds of RnB coming from the States. He called it the 'Tickler.' Playing in houses and renting out the system for £5 a night, his innovation was unpopular with the local police. Vin developed a strong following in the area and won his first London soundclash in 1958, defeating Count Suckle. Vin claimed to have never lost a soundclash and soon, he established himself on the London club circuit.
Duke Vin was arrested in the late 1960s, charged with pimping. During his time in prison he researched his ancestry. He was born to descendants of Maroons - enslaved Africans who had escaped to freedom and lived in the Jamaican mountains. He discovered a 1738 treaty which stated that Maroons did not have to pay any taxes to the United Kingdom. Armed with this information, Vin sued the Inland Revenue, claiming that all the taxes he had paid over his time in England were illegitimate. He won the case and a small fortune was paid out. With it, he bought a large house on the Harrow Road, in which he set up an upmarket shebeen.
Active on the soundsystem circuit throughout his life, Duke Vin played to crowds across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Vin is seen as one of the most important figures in the popularisation of Jamaican music in Britain. His innovations were foundational to the development of British club music. Elton John and the Rolling Stones learnt from his sets, he brought US RnB to London and he imported reggae and ska as they were pioneered. Every derivative of the soundsystem - from jungle to grime - owes its very existence to London's original soundman.
Changing a tyre for legendary Kingston selecter (DJ) Tom Wong changed his life when the DJ asked for his help in a set. He performed exceptionally and earned his role at Wong’s Sound System. The baptism of ‘Duke Vin’ came from beating former policeman Duke Reid in a soundclash. Despite offers from other selecters, Vin stayed loyal to Tom’s Sound System, before emigrating to London.
Vin stowed away on a ship bound for England in 1954 with his friend and fellow selecter, Count Suckle. The undocumented migrants settled in Ladbroke Grove. In stark contrast to the lively lifestyle that would follow, Vin worked for British Rail at first, later becoming an electrician.
Shocked by the dull nightlife in London, Vin decided to build his own soundsystem to play the sounds of RnB coming from the States. He called it the 'Tickler.' Playing in houses and renting out the system for £5 a night, his innovation was unpopular with the local police. Vin developed a strong following in the area and won his first London soundclash in 1958, defeating Count Suckle. Vin claimed to have never lost a soundclash and soon, he established himself on the London club circuit.
Duke Vin was arrested in the late 1960s, charged with pimping. During his time in prison he researched his ancestry. He was born to descendants of Maroons - enslaved Africans who had escaped to freedom and lived in the Jamaican mountains. He discovered a 1738 treaty which stated that Maroons did not have to pay any taxes to the United Kingdom. Armed with this information, Vin sued the Inland Revenue, claiming that all the taxes he had paid over his time in England were illegitimate. He won the case and a small fortune was paid out. With it, he bought a large house on the Harrow Road, in which he set up an upmarket shebeen.
Active on the soundsystem circuit throughout his life, Duke Vin played to crowds across the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Vin is seen as one of the most important figures in the popularisation of Jamaican music in Britain. His innovations were foundational to the development of British club music. Elton John and the Rolling Stones learnt from his sets, he brought US RnB to London and he imported reggae and ska as they were pioneered. Every derivative of the soundsystem - from jungle to grime - owes its very existence to London's original soundman.
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