BIOGRAPHY

Jah Observer Sound System started in 1973. The original name of the sound System was called Tippertone, taken off a Bob Marley Album. A year later, the name of the sound was changed to Mighty Observer Jah. Austin Palmer alias Spiderman and Ras Rudy started playing in London’s Thornton Heath near Croydon, playing at school parties, for friends and also at a local youth club which was called Parchmore Youth and Community Centre. They played at Parchmore every Friday night, at a time when the entry fee was only 50 pence. Jah Observer have been played at the Notting Hill Carnival for over 25 years and was one of the first reggae Sound Systems to play at Punk music festivals. The Sound system originally started out playing a lot of lover’s rock (melodic reggae ballads) but as its members got older and adopted a more conscious awareness of life, this also became reflected in their music. Peace, love, harmony and ‘Roots and Culture’ is what they’re all about. Their popularity has led them to perform all over England and Scotland and they can also be found entertaining reggae fanatics in France, Italy and Holland. Celebrating 50 years of career, Jah Observer still embodies the roots and warm spirit of this event, advocating social awareness and peace.