Joe Higgs

Bio

Joe Higgs (1940–1999) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer who helped shape the island’s early ska and rocksteady scenes. Working as a mentor to Bob Marley and other Wailers members, he supplied vocal coaching and songwriting guidance that influenced the transition from ska to roots reggae. Higgs recorded for Studio One and other Kingston labels, releasing singles such as “Combine” and “She Was the Girl,” and later albums that blended soulful vocals with socially conscious lyrics. His work as a producer and arranger also contributed to the development of dub techniques in the 1970s. Although he remained largely behind the scenes for much of his career, Higgs is remembered as a foundational figure in Jamaican music whose influence extended through the artists he trained and the recordings he left behind.