Tony ‘Terror’ Douglas, born in Spanish Town Jamaica, rose in western Kingston came to England at the age of 11 years old. Music has always been a part of Tonys life from the early days of Jamaica, the influences of Rock Steady, Roots Rock, Ska, and Jamaican folk music, have all help to create the soft smooth sweet sounds of Tony Terror Douglas. In the late 1960s, producers such as King Tubby’s and Lee ‘scratch’ Perry began changing the game, and the style of live performances. These changes in the dances, kicked of the beginning of the live performance era, with the bare beats, and bass playing, and the lead instruments dropping in and out of the mix, when heard in the dances, this was the que for dj’s & singers likeKing Stitt and daddy U Roy to step up and entertain. Much of todays modern music has originated from the very music tony listened to in his early days.
Upon settling down in England, Tony’s mother Miss Olive set about building her own sound system, this sound system was to be known by the name ‘Paddington Terror’ sound. Now in his early teens the study of music and the seeds of his showmanship continued to grow not only with-in Tony but also in his younger brother Keith. Paddington Terror Sound was proving to be the learning ground needed in their new community to continue the training of Miss Olives boys, as by the age of 17 years old Tony Douglas was fully equipped to take on the controls of Paddington Terror Sound and took over as the owner.
It was while running their sound system that Tony notice his brothers talent for singing and encourage Keith to start performing, by 1982,Keith Douglas had a massive hit, Lovers Rock song “Cool Down Amina” released by Fashion Records ensuring the Douglas’s place in musical history. Back in 1979 Tony had also started his Professional endeavors, and was successful enough in his own rights. In this same year UK group and reggae icons Aswad, was sponsored by the British Crown to perform in Kenya, Tony Douglas was a part of this event and travelled to Kenya to perform with the legendary reggae group, sealing what he always knew, he was destine to be a performing recording artist.
As a recording artist, Tony has released several albums, two fantastic albums recorded with his group the ’Blackstones’ he had join the ‘Blackstones’ in 1982, the band topped the reggae album chart with ’Take Another Look At
Love’, which took its title from the trio’s chart-topping single. During the mid-80s the group enjoyed a high profile in the charts with the hits ‘Aint She Looking Fine’, ‘Created By One’, ‘Jealousy’, ‘Revolution Time’, ‘Fighting To The Top’
Tony has also released ’Love & Consciousness’ a solo album of inspiration & upliftment. He has also work with many other recording artists either, performed with, writing, structure building and backing vocals. He has worked with Sugar Minot, Barrington Levy, Michael Prophet, Frankie Paul, Paul Dawkins, Paragonsand more. He was also a part of the Heptones & The Abyssinians (Satta Massagana was first recorded for producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in March 1969)
‘Kwestions & Answers’ was another exciting release from Tony as a member of the outstanding vocal group Kwest, with group members Damel Carayol and Khareem Jamal. Kwest, was known for their brilliant harmonies and inspiring compositions of some of the best reworked soul classics. Tony also played ’Paul Bogle’ “Black Hero in The Hall of Fame” (Decorate for rights).
2013 saw the release of ‘Living in Babylon’ on the Starrvybz reworked riddim ‘Blackrose Congratulation rhythm’ originally made famous by Dennis Brown with “Promise Land” & “Revolution” Tony did a great social piece, with his trade mark smooth & silky tones, with matching harmonies. Also in the same year Tony performed at a Starrvybz event alongside Winston Francis, Leslie McNeil (Tradition) Paul
Dawkins (Tradition) Kitty Corbin, Harmonie Deja, I Kool, Sparky & Layla Rose, Slim the comedian, and many more. Currently for 2014, Tony has a single to be released on the Starrvybz Entertainment Label, a superb collaboration with the extremely talented singing supreme, ’Harmonie Deja’, a hot new female artist, rising from the UK.
Well all in all Tony Douglas has quite an impressive résumé stemming from the root, right back up to the stem, leaving no doubt that, Tony Terror Douglas, is indeed a great pioneer, and ambassador of reggae music.