Moon Author's Review
One of the world's foremost music producers and founder of Island Records, London-born Chris Blackwell is credited with having introduced reggae music to the world. He built his early career first by selling record imports to the Jamaican market and then by bringing international attention to the budding careers of artists like Millie Small, whose "My Boy Lollipop" topped the charts in England in 1964, giving Island its first hit. Blackwell signed a slew of early English rock artists like Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Robert Palmer, and Cat Stevens. Then came Bob Marley, whose 1973 Catch a Fire album would be the first of many for Bob on the Island label. The deal was a huge hit and brought world recognition to a genre that was gaining popularity in Jamaica but unheard of elsewhere.
While Blackwell was scoping the world for new talent, Jamaica was never far from his mind, and he cultivated his love for the country by buying some of the island's most beautiful properties, including Strawberry Hill and Goldeneye, eventually forming Island Outpost to market them to discerning travelers seeking luxury without hype. His grand vision has set in motion a transformation in Oracabessa with the new villa development on a private island next to Ian Fleming's Goldeneye. The development was designed as an exclusive community where those lucky enough to get their hands on a piece of Goldeneye have access to all the amenities and services the resort offers, with a private villa they can call home.
Blackwell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 for his contribution to the world music industry. Blackwell sold Island Records to PolyGram UK Group in 1989, staying on at the head of the Island division. Blackwell left the company in 1997, just before PolyGram was acquired by Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group. A year later Blackwell established Palm Pictures, a film production and distribution company based in New York. Palm sources films from across the world and produced the touring film festival RESFEST for a decade. Palm Pictures was by no means Blackwell's first foray into film however. He first entered the film industry by backing Perry Henzell's cult hit The Harder They Come in 1971, which brought fame to Jimmy Cliff, before going on to produce other Jamaican classics like Country Man, as well as successful Hollywood films.
In Jamaica Chris Blackwell receives a mix of admiration from his peers and disciples and resentment from those who jealously allege he made his millions on the back of Bob Marley. Some who are bitter refer to him as "Whitewell." What is indisputable is that his business acumen and eye for talent and opportunity have made Blackwell one of the world's most creative and successful businessmen. Beyond Island Outpost, Blackwell maintains other business interests that include Island Village in Ocho Rios and recording studios.
