Reggae Veteran Milton Henry Transitions at 72 on Dec 3, 2022, Brooklyn NY
Rastafari TV Network takes the time to honor a beautiful soul and veteran of reggae Milton Aston Henry, who passed away on December 3, 2022, at 12:15 a.m. in Brooklyn, New York. Milton was surrounded by family members who cared for him until his passing after receiving a stage four lung cancer diagnosis.
Milton was a versatile singer, guitarist, and arranger with a velvet voice. He spent more than three decades touring and performing with some of Reggae music’s biggest stars before establishing roots in New York.
Aston “Milton” Henry, the fifth of seven children, was born on January 19, 1950, in Allman Town, in the heart of Kingston. His mother, an office clerk, and his carpenter father are both natives of St Ann Parish, the same place where Bob Marley and Burning Spear were born.
Both vocalist Carl Dawkins, for whom Henry arranged the 1969 Jamaican smash Satisfaction, and future Freedom Sounds producer Bertram Brown were drawn to Milton’s guitar playing. He was a member of the Techniques, the Leaders, the Progressions, and the Emotions, among other harmony ensembles. He began the 1970s by recording for Lee Scratch Perry under the name King Medious before changing his name and becoming successful with a 1976 cover of the Impressions Gypsy Woman on Rupie Edwards aptly named Success imprint.
By then, Milton had moved to New York and was working at the renowned Wackies outpost of Lloyd Barnes. There, he recorded his debut LP Who Do You Think I Am (1985) and a follow-up for the Japanese Tachylon label, Babylon Loot (1987).
The Kingston, Jamaica-born singer and musician has recorded numerous albums and songs, including the highly appreciated “Who Do You Think I Am” from 1985 and a fantastic rendition of Curtis Mayfield’s “Gypsy Woman.” He has also worked with the bizarre genius Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Despite having a stellar resume, Henry is humble. From The Knitting Factory in Manhattan, San Diego, to Paris, the reggae singer-songwriter has performed. Produced by BOBBY DIGI/Thello Entertainment, the new record will be released soon.
He was producing a new CD that combines world music, Afrobeat, and other alternative inspirations in addition to Caribbean music.
Milton’s family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones have our deepest love and condolences. Although he has returned home, he will always be in our hearts and memories. Rest in peace, our beloved father, comrade, and friend.
