Lone Ranger

by Steve HueyBorrowing his stage name from the popular TV Western hero of the same name, the Lone Ranger was one of Jamaicas most influential early dancehall DJs. He helped pioneer a newly rhythmic, on-the-beat rhyming style that led DJ toasting into the modern age, and punctuated his lyrics with bizarre exclamations and sound effects (bim and ribbit were his favorites) that made him perhaps the most imaginative stylist of his time. The Lone Ranger was born Anthony Waldron and spent a good portion of his childhood in the U.K., later moving to Kingston. He first recorded in tandem with Welton Irie at Clement Coxsone Dodds famed Studio One, but soon went solo, toasting over the rhythm tracks of past Studio One hits from the rocksteady and roots reggae eras. He also became the top DJ for the Virgo Hi Fi Sound System, resulting in its being voted the top sound system in Jamaica in 1980.The Lone Rangers breakout hit was Love Bump, a Dodd-produced version of the rhythm from Slim Smiths Rougher Yet. His signature song, however, was Barnabas Collins, an ode to the vampiric main character of the TV series Dark Shadows. Produced by Alvin GG Ranglin, Barnabas Collins was a massive hit in 1980, topping charts in both Jamaica and the U.K. An album of the same name (aka Barnabas in Collins Wood) followed on Ranglins label, and established him as one of the top recording DJs of the time. Over the next two years, the Lone Ranger recorded prolifically for Studio One, issuing albums like On the Other Side of Dub, Badda Dan Dem, and what many regarded as his strongest LP, M-16. M-16 featured further hits in the title track, Natty Burial, and Fist to Fist. He also recorded with other producers, including Channel Ones Winston Riley (1981s Rosemarie) and himself, in tandem with Clive Jarrett (1982s Hi Yo Silver Away).With the ascent of Yellowman and the recording debuts of other prominent early DJs (Brigadier Jerry, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, etc.), the Lone Ranger found his popularity challenged; he also found some of his signature gimmicks appropriated by imitators. After his initial burst of activity, his pace had slowed considerably by the mid-80s. He cut another album, DJ Daddy, for Winston Riley in 1984, and followed it with Learn to Drive, a low-profile album for Bebo Phillips label, in 1985. He subsequently dropped out of sight.