Bertram McLean

Bertram McLean (c.1948 – 14 November 2012), also known by his nickname "Ranchie", was a Jamaican musician active between the 1970s and the 1990s, who recorded with many of Jamaica's biggest stars.

Bertram Washington McLean
Also known asRanchie
Born15 August 1948
OriginJamaica
Died14 November 2012 (aged 64)
GenresReggae
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter, actor
InstrumentsGuitar, bass guitar, keyboards
Years activeEarly 1970s – 1998
Associated actsRHT Invincibles, The Impact All Stars, The Revolutionaries, Skin, Flesh and Bones, Jimmy Cliff, Augustus Pablo

Biography

McLean began working as a session musician in the 1970s, as guitarist in the groups the RHT Invincibles (along with Ansell Collins, Lloyd Parks, and Sly Dunbar), The Randy's house band The Impact All Stars, The Revolutionaries, and Skin, Flesh & Bones, and playing on albums by artists including Earth & Stone, Culture, and Jimmy Cliff.[1][2][3] He also released solo material including the "Toy" single. Primarily a guitarist and bass guitarist, he also plays keyboards. Throughout the 1980s he was in demand as a studio musician, joining Cliff's backing band Oneness and writing songs for Cliff such as "Rub-A-Dub Partner" and "Roots Woman",[4][5] recording with The Clarendonians and Sadao Watanabe, and playing on the soundtrack to films Club Paradise and Rockers , in which he also had small roles.[1] In the 1990s his output increased, working with Burning Spear, I-Roy, The Meditations, and Sly & Robbie.[1]

McLean's career as a musician came to an end after he suffered a stroke in 1998. In 2010 he underwent surgery after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.[2] He died on 14 November 2012 at the University Hospital of the West Indies after a long illness.[2]

Notes
  1. Moskowitz, p.203
  2. Campbell
  3. "Farewell to 'Ranchie'", Jamaica Observer, 8 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012
  4. Thompson, p.78
  5. Greene

References
  • Campbell, Howard (2012) "'Ranchie' McLean is dead", Jamaica Observer, 20 November 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012
  • Greene, Jo-Ann "Jimmy Cliff The Collection Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  • Moskowitz, David V. (2006) Caribbean Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall, Greenwood Press, ISBN 0-313-33158-8
  • Thompson, Dave (2002) Reggae & Caribbean Music, Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-655-6


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