Musical Youth Biography                            

 

“This Generation Rules the nation with version”

The year was 1982 and with these triumphant words, five school kids from Birmingham named Dennis, Michael, Kelvin, Patrick and Junior launched themselves on an unsuspecting public and into pop history as ‘Pass the Dutchie’ surged to number 1 in the UK within two weeks of release and went on to sell millions of records all around the world.

‘Pass the Dutchie’ even went as far as reaching the Billboard 100 topping out at number 10 in the USA chart, becoming reggae music’s first top 10 hit in that country.

For the next three years the hits kept on coming as the boys brought reggae out of the ghettos and into pop mainstream with singles like ‘The Youth of Today’, ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, ‘Heartbreaker’ , ‘007’ , ‘Tell Me Why’ , and ‘Sixteen’ as well as two albums The Youth of Today’ and ‘Different Style’.

They toured and travelled throughout the world, exchanging numbers with Michael Jackson, had Stevie Wonder write a song especially for them, Irene Carra (Flashdance) and Jody Wotley (Shalamar) both sang on Sixteen, whilst also duetting with Latoya Jackson.

The band went on to recording a fantastic song, ‘Unconditional Love’, with disco diva Donna Summer and also headlined at the world famous Reggae Sunsplash.

Indeed, Musical Youth became the symbol of achievement , hope and pride for many other youths of all ages , creeds, nationalities and colour around the world as their combined talent and hard work reaped its reward and won them respect, culminating in being nominated for a Grammy award as best newcomers in 1984.

In 1985 Musical Youth left the pop scene without trace and to this day people are intrigued by their sudden disappearance.

Well, Dennis Seaton and Michael Grant have decided to put the record straight and put an end to all the mythology surrounding the band. With Patrick Waite (Bass) passing away in 1993 this put an end to all five members reuniting as the original Musical Youth.

Dennis and Michael have been performing for well over 20 years and have decided to make 2003 the year of celebrating 21 years of ‘Pass the Dutchie’. With the release of a best of Musical Youth album due out in the next few months the two original members have decided not to hide their musical talents any more and show the world that the Youths can still ‘rule the nation with version’.