ENTITY · SOUND SYSTEM

King Edwards the Giant

Well supported

King Edwards the Giant was a powerhouse Kingston sound system built by brothers Vincent and George Edwards, active roughly 1955-1967 and counted with Coxsone's Downbeat and Duke Reid the Trojan among the 'Big Three' of the foundation era. Known for imported R&B and fierce sound clashes, its associated record shop drew aspiring musicians including a young Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.

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At a glance

Type: sound system
Confidence: Well supported
Era: Open era →

Places & geographyTechnology, recording & industry

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In stories

Story · Well supportedLawn kings of downtown Kingston

How fenced yards, imported 78s and crowned sound men turned 1950s Kingston dances into an industry.

Story · ProbableFoundation sounds before the famous three

Long before Coxsone, Duke Reid and Prince Buster became reggae's founding trinity, a wider field of 1950s operators built the culture — and its DIY engineering habit followed Jamaican emigrants to London.