Biography

b. Glendon Bailey, Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. The Admiral first broke through with his infectious dancehall anthems and his distinctive military uniforms in 1986, when DJ Josey Wales took him to King Jammy’s from U-Roy’s King Sturgav Hi-Fi. The Waterhouse studio was alive with creativity, with Steely And Clevie constructing new digital rhythms and nurturing an impressive roster of artists. Bailey quickly proved himself, however, starting a run of hits with a duet with Chaka Demus, ‘One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer’. This was followed by ‘Politician’, ‘Chatty Chatty Mouth’, ‘Ballot Box’ (with Josey Wales) and 1987’s ‘Punany’ - for which a radio ban necessitated the release of a more ‘innocent’ version, ‘Healthy Body’. Other singles, including ‘Big Belly Man’, ‘Jump Up’, ‘Top Celebrity Man’ and ‘Cater For Woman’, continued the successful run, and he released his debut set, Kill Them With It, the same year. DJ Papa Biggy produced ‘Neighbourhood Living’ and ‘Newsflash Time’ and Bailey also recorded tunes for Donovan Germain and Jah Life. Shabba Ranks’ success somewhat overshadowed Bailey’s hits, ‘No Way No Better Than Yard’, ‘Don’t Have Me Up’, ‘Original Dela Move’ and ‘Science’, but they nevertheless sustained his profile. Ranks’ success also prompted the assertive, ‘Think Me Did Done’. When Ram Up You Party did not do as well as anticipated, Bailey’s career declined slightly, with the exception of occasional recordings for Penthouse Records (‘Help’) in 1990 and Bobby Digital (‘Ah Nuh Sin’) in 1991. In 1993, he resumed work with King Jammy, the producer who has brought him the most sustained success.