The Original Bad Boys - Inner Circle

Inner Circle is a Jamaican reggae and Alternative Hip Hop group formed in 1968 by the brothers Ian and Roger Lewis. Joining them is Jacob Miller, their front-man and lead singer. This Jamaican- bred, Grammy winning quintet is one of the world’s most famous reggae groups of the 70’s. Inner Circle’s pop Jamaican beat and energy- filled live performances made them transcend the traditional reggae niche. They have performed alongside with pop and rock music legendary icons like John Elton, Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel and Jimmy Page among the few. Its first debut album was released in 1974 under Trojan Records label. In 1978, the band achieved a major breakthrough when the group was signed to Island Records where the internationally successful album entitled “Everything is Great” originated. This album became a Top 20 hit in the UK and a top 10 smash in France. Their most popular songs are “Mary, Mary” and “Music Machine”. During those years, Inner Circle became one of the first Jamaican groups to tour the US.

Funky Brown (vocals), Prilly (vocals), Ibo Cooper (keyboards), Stephen Cat Coore (guitar), Ian and Roger Lewis were the original members of Inner Circles. After several years, Douglas Gutherie on alto saxophone, and Leighton Johnson on trumpet joined the group. In 1980, the bands fortuned shattered after their front- man, Jacob Miller was killed in a car crash. After his death, Inner Circle broke up and did not return to the studio until six years with their new lead singer Calton. Inner Circle was regrouped with the addition of drummer Lancelot Hall in 1985. In 1987, they recorded the song “Bad Boys” which became the theme song for COPS, a long- running television program by Fox Network. “Bad Boys” became a number one hit in almost every European territory. It also sold approximately seven million copies worldwide. California guitarist, Dave Gonzales, joined the band for a tour in 1989.

In 1992, their song “Sweat (A La La La La Song)”, exploded across the world making it the number 3 hit in the UK Singles Chart. They won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album with “Bad Boys” in 1993 and in 1994 the band scored again after earning a Granny nomination for Best Reggae Award for their album Reggae Dancer. Their lead singer Calton, became ill in 1995 and necessitates him to have a lengthy recovery period. He was later replaced by Kris Bentley. In 2008, Junior Jazz became the lead singer. Today, the members of the group run Circle House, a popular and respected recording studious in Miami.

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