Lee “Scratch” Perry is a Jamaican music producer, songwriter and singer, who is widely acknowledged for his pioneering influence on the development of reggae and dub music. He has worked with some of the most influential artists in the history of the genre, including Bob Marley & The Wailers, Junior Murvin, The Congos, Max Romeo, and The Heptones. He is also known for his innovative production techniques and his eccentric style, which has earned him the nickname “the Upsetter”. His career has spanned over five decades, and his influence is still felt in contemporary reggae, dub and dancehall music.
| Name | Lee Perry |
| Genre | Reggae, Dub |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Drums, Percussion |
| Birthdate | March 20, 1936 |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Labels | Upsetter, Island, Trojan, Mango |
| Notable Works | The Upsetter, Super Ape, Blackboard Jungle Dub |
10 Best Lee Perry Quotes
1.
“I’m the spirit of music, the spirit of sound. I’m the godfather of all music, the one who invented sound.”
– Lee Perry, from Sound on Sound
2.
“If you want to make a hit record, you must have the blessings of the Almighty.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
3.
“The mystical music is the music of the future. It’s the music of the mystic, of the spiritual, of the higher vibration.”
– Lee Perry, from YouTube
4.
“It’s a vibration that has some power, so that’s why I called it mystical music. It’s music that vibrate you and make you go higher, and make you think of the future and the past.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
5.
“I’m the pope of reggae and dub music, and I’m the father of the true sound system.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
6.
“I’m a man of many worlds, of many dimensions and many vibes. I’m a multi-dimensional being, and I’m still in search of the ultimate vibration.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
7.
“You have to listen to the music, because the music carries the message. The message comes through the music.”
– Lee Perry, from Sound on Sound
8.
“I’m a magician; I’m a mystic; I’m a scientist; I’m an artist; I’m a visionary. I’m the eye of the storm.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
9.
“I’m a master, a master of sound, a master of music, a master of all vibrations.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
10.
“I’m a master of sound; I’m a master of all vibrations; I’m a master of the universe.”
– Lee Perry, from YouTube
6 Inspirational Lee Perry Quotes
“I don’t try to tell people what they must do. I just tell them what I do.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I just keep on doing what I’m doing, and I don’t care who likes it or doesn’t like it.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
“I was the first one to do it. I created the whole thing and I’m still the one who can do it best.”
– Lee Perry, from Dazed and Confused
“I am a musical genius. I’m a musical scientist.”
– Lee Perry, from Pitchfork
“I make a song that can last for eternity.”
– Lee Perry, from Buzzfeed
“My music is a godly thing. I’m bringing something from the spirit world.”
– Lee Perry, from Vulture
8 Famous Lee Perry Quotes
“The more time you take to do something, the better it will be.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I always have to do something different, something the people don’t expect.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I didn’t know I was special. I was just Bob Marley’s producer.”
– Lee Perry, from NPR
“I have been making music for over 50 years and I am still making music, so I am doing something right.”
– Lee Perry, from NPR
“I was trying to be a genius but I didn’t know what that was.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I exploded a lot of music, I made a lot of music explode.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I don’t try to be a winner, I just try to be a better loser.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“I don’t want to get old, I want to stay young.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
7 Lee Perry Quotes About Love
“Love is everywhere, you got to give it. Love is a vibration.”
– Lee Perry, from Pitchfork
“Love is the power, love is the strength, love is the only thing that can make you go to the right length.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“Love is not blind. It sees more and not less, but because it sees more it is willing to see less.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“Love is a feeling, it’s a power, it’s a force. It’s a strength, it’s a weakness, it’s a war.”
– Lee Perry, from Interview Magazine
“Love is the answer to all your questions, and you have to love yourself first.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
“Love is the only thing that will make you stand on your feet.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“Love is the key to success, to happiness, and to the world.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
6 Lee Perry Quotes About Life
“Life is what you make it, if you make it hard, it’s hard, if you make it easy, it’s easy.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
“Life is just a little bit of a gift from God. Life is a gift. You must give thanks and praises for it.”
– Lee Perry, from Vice
“Life is a journey. You must go through it, and go around it, and go through it again.”
– Lee Perry, from Pitchfork
“Life is a journey and a struggle, and you must live it.”
– Lee Perry, from The Star
“Life is a big test. It’s a big test to find out what you will do with it, what you will make of it.”
– Lee Perry, from Rolling Stone
“Life is a lesson, and you must learn it.”
– Lee Perry, from The Guardian
5 Quotes About Lee Perry
“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is a genius, a mad professor of Jamaican music who has been creating some of the most innovative and influential sounds for the past five decades.”
– Bill Brewster, from The Guardian
“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is one of the most influential and innovative figures in the history of reggae music.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is one of the most important figures in the history of reggae and dub music.”
– Encyclopedia Britannica, from Encyclopedia Britannica
“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is an iconic Jamaican producer and musician who has been a major influence on the development of reggae, dub, and dancehall.”
– Discogs, from Discogs
“Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry is a living legend, a musical innovator and a master of dub.”
– The Quietus, from The Quietus
Interview with Lee Perry
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee Perry
1. What is Lee Perry’s most Iconic Quote?
Lee Perry is one of the most influential figures in reggae music. He has earned the title of the “Upsetter” for his innovative production techniques, and his contribution to the genre is undeniable. As such, he has been known to share some of his wisdom with the world through his quotes. Here are some of Lee Perry’s most iconic quotes:
- “Dreadlocks is not a fashion statement, it is a spiritual statement.”
- “Everything is in a state of flux. Everything is in a process of becoming something else.”
- “You never know what you can do until you try.”
- “If you want to reach the highest peak, you must first climb the tallest mountain.”
- “Music is the medicine for the soul.”
- “The most important thing in life is not what you have, but what you give away.”
- “Life is a journey, not a destination.”
- “The only way to make a difference is to make a difference.”
However, Lee Perry’s most iconic quote has to be: “The only way to make a difference is to make a difference.” This quote has been used in many contexts and carries a powerful message of taking action in order to create change. It is a reminder that we all have the potential to make a difference in the world, no matter how small.
2. What are some of Lee Perry’s most influential quotes?
Lee Perry is one of the most influential and prolific reggae artists of all time. He has a rich history of music, production, and performance that has left a lasting impression on the world. To this day, Perry is still celebrated for his creativity and style.
As an artist, Perry has been quoted on numerous occasions offering insight and wisdom on topics ranging from music production and creativity to life and spirituality. Here are some of the most influential Lee Perry quotes:
- “Music is the power of the people. It’s the key to life.”
- “When you have a vision, you must follow it through.”
- “If you don’t have a purpose, you don’t have a life.”
- “If you’re going to do something, you must do it with passion.”
- “We all have a voice, the only thing is to learn how to use it.”
- “You can’t be afraid to take risks in life.”
- “Music is the language of the soul.”
- “Creativity comes from within.”
- “You have to find yourself before you can find your music.”
3. How have Lee Perry’s quotes impacted the music industry?
Lee Perry’s quotes have had a profound impact on the music industry. His unique view on music and the creative process has inspired a generation of musicians to push the boundaries of the genre and create something new. Here are some of the ways his words have affected the music industry:
- Encouraging creative freedom: Lee Perry’s quotes have inspired musicians to explore their creative side and create something unique. His words have encouraged them to break away from the standard conventions of the genre and explore different avenues of creativity.
- Influencing the sound of music: Lee Perry’s quotes have had a major influence on the sound of music today. His unique view on music has pushed musicians to experiment with different sounds and try new things. This has led to the development of a variety of sub-genres and styles.
- Creating a new generation of music makers: Lee Perry’s quotes have inspired a new generation of music makers. His words have motivated them to express themselves in a creative way and push the boundaries of the genre.
- Encouraging collaboration: Lee Perry’s quotes have encouraged collaboration between different genres and styles of music. His words have pushed musicians to work together and create something new and exciting.
Overall, Lee Perry’s quotes have had a huge impact on the music industry. His words have inspired a generation of musicians to push the boundaries of the genre and create something unique. His unique view on music has also had a major influence on the sound of music today.
4. What themes or topics are often explored in Lee Perry’s quotes?
Lee Perry’s quotes often explore a range of topics and themes that range from life lessons to spiritual guidance. Some of the key topics he often talks about include:
- Living a life of purpose
- The power of positivity
- Inspiring others to greatness
- The importance of personal growth
- The power of the mind
- The importance of humility and respect
- The importance of faith and optimism
- The value of hard work and dedication
- The need for self-awareness and self-improvement
- The beauty of taking risks and embracing change
- The importance of learning from mistakes
- The power of resilience
- The importance of creativity and innovation
By exploring these topics, Perry’s quotes often contain a deep insight into the human condition, as well as offering wisdom and advice on how to live a successful and fulfilling life.
5. How has Lee Perry’s work impacted the reggae culture?
Lee Perry has had a profound impact on the reggae culture, and his influence can still be felt today. His highly innovative production techniques and avant-garde approach to songwriting have made him one of the most influential figures in reggae music. Here are some of the ways in which his work has impacted the reggae culture:
- He is credited with introducing dub music and producing the first dub albums in the 1970s.
- He popularized the use of studio effects to create a unique sound for reggae music.
- He was an early adopter of the use of samples in reggae music.
- His innovative approaches to songwriting and production have been hugely influential within reggae.
- He has collaborated with some of the most famous names in reggae, such as Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
- His influence has been felt in many other genres of music, from hip-hop to electronic music.
Lee Perry’s work has left a lasting impact on the reggae culture, and his influence can still be felt today. Whether it’s through his pioneering use of dub music and studio effects, or his collaborations with some of the genre’s most famous names, his work has been hugely influential in the development of reggae music.
Conclusion
Lee “Scratch” Perry is a living legend in the music world. His influence on Jamaican music, reggae, and dub is undeniable and his creativity and artistry are still producing groundbreaking work today. His ability to mix musical styles such as reggae, rocksteady, ska, and dub have earned him a place in music history. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come and his quotes and wisdom will continue to inspire and motivate artists for many years to come.
