George 'Peckings' Price
On Wednesday, 9th March 2022, the pioneering label Peckings Records was awarded a blue plaque by the Nubian Jak Community Trust.
Two years before Island Records started importing Jamaican music to England in the 1960s, George ' Peckings' Price, a visionary and passionate music enthusiast, brought the sound of the Island to London and beyond. His efforts were instrumental in introducing Jamaican music to a wider audience in the UK, laying the foundation for the vibrant reggae scene that exists today.
Music for Price started in Kingston, Jamaica, where he partnered with Coxsone Dodd, a legendary producer from Studio 1. Together, they set up their own sound system, which included members such as Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Prince Buster. Coxsone would travel to the US to collect music exclusives to stay ahead of their rivals, leaving Peckings in charge of bookings and arranging the dances. This partnership with Studio 1 was a crucial influence on the early development of Peckings Records.
In 1960, George decided to come to the UK, taking a suitcase of vinyls from Prince Buster and Coxsone. Peckings supplied UK-based Jamaican soundmen like Duke Vin, Count Suckle and Daddy Vego with RnB, Ska and Reggae records before opening his own record label and shop in 1973. He would go on to cater to legendary sound systems like Coxsone, Jah Shaka, Fatman, Hawkeye, Dub Vendor, Daddy Cool, and even young David Rodigan.
When George Price died in 1994, his sons Tony and Trevor, who had been involved in the shop, continued his legacy. Meanwhile, their two younger brothers – Chris and Duke – took the Peckings Records label to another level, expanding its reach and influence. Their collective efforts and dedication have not only preserved the label but also propelled it to new heights, solidifying its place in reggae history.
Peckings Records, a true game-changer, has been instrumental in breaking some of the most influential reggae artists of the last 2 decades, including Bitty McLean, Gappy Ranks, Peter Hunningale and Tarrus Riley. The label's extensive catalogue, with almost 100 records and albums since 1994, has earned it the prestigious titles of best label and producer at the British Reggae Industry Awards.
To commemorate almost 60 years since the founding of Peckings Records, a blue plaque was placed outside the original label and shop address in Hammersmith.
location: 142 Askew Rd, London W12 9AH
"Peckings Records is an oak tree that grew from the acorn of Jamaican music enthusiast George Price, whose love for the music of his island helped to create the phenomenon of Ska and Reggae in the United Kingdom." Founder of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, Jak Beula
"George' Peckings' Price made an immeasurable contribution to the evolution of Jamaican music in London with his tireless passion and enthusiasm for promoting Studio One music, a catalogue quite unlike any other. For this, and so much more, we all owe Peckings a huge debt of love and respect." DJ David Rodigan MBE OD