Drummie Zeb | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Born | Angus Gaye (1959-09-24)24 September 1959 London, England |
| Died | 2 September 2022(2022-09-02) (aged 62) |
| Years active | 1975–2022 |
| Children | 6 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations |
|
| Formerly of | Aswad |
Musical artist | |
Angus Gaye (24 September 1959 – 2 September 2022), better known asDrummie Zeb, was an English musician. He was the drummer and vocalist for the reggae bandAswad,[1] as well as arecord producer for other artists.
Gaye was born inLondon on 24 September 1959.[2][3] His parents immigrated to the United Kingdom fromCarriacou,Grenada, as part of theWindrush generation.[2][4] He grew up in theLadbroke Grove area ofWest London and studied at theHolland Park School in his hometown where he met his future bandmates Tony Robinson andBrinsley Forde.[3][5]
Gaye took an interest in drumming after a cousin, who was a drummer, started living at his family home as a tenant. He would use anything he had at hand to use as a drum. His father bought him his first drum at the age of eight so he would stop damaging family property and Gaye eventually became a kit drummer in the localsteelpan band called the "Metronomes".[5][4]
In 1975, Gaye saw an advertisement for the bandAswad and turned up for the audition, where he was successful in getting the part of the drummer.[4] They became the first British reggae group to sign with an international label, signing up withIsland Records in 1975. Gaye was the only member who remained a part of the band throughout its existence.[2][4] As the songs of the band became more commercial-oriented in nature in the 1980s, he started assuming most of the lead vocalist duties and eventually replaced Forde.[6]
Aswad gained popularity after the release of their debut single "Back to Africa" in 1976.[4] They followed this up withLove Fire (1981),Rise and Shine (1994), which earned aGrammy nomination forBest Reggae Album,Dub: The Next Frontier (1995),[7] andCool Summer Reggae (2002).[8] Aswad ultimately released 21 albums and received two more Grammy nominations.[9] By 2006, he and Robinson were the only founding members still playing with the group.[10] Aswad released their last album,City Lock, in 2009.[9]
Outside of Aswad, Gaye served as arecord producer forAce of Base whose 1994 rendition of the single "Don't Turn Around" became a global hit,[3] and played what was described byDavid Katz as a "distinctive drum pattern" inJanet Kay's 1979 single "Silly Games" which peaked at number 2 on theUK Singles Chart.[11] He also worked withSweetie Irie,Joe,[8]Vanessa-Mae,Carroll Thompson and others.[3]
Gaye had six children,[12] including Soloman who is also a reggae artist.[13] He died on 2 September 2022 at the age of 62.[5][4] The cause of death has not been given.[2]
