Dr. Alimantado

Alimantado was born James Winston Thompson in Kingston 1952. He grew up in the ghetto of the city's west side, an area notorious for its poverty and violence. In his early teens Winston became intersted in the Rastafarian faith, grew locks and ran away from home but was soon re-captured by his parents who lost no time in trimming his dread. On leaving school and drifting between jobs he soon realized that music was a good escape from the dead end of life in Kingston. Winston's talent was in deejaying (the art of jive talking over a rhythm) and he listened and learnt from the master and originator of the art, the great U. Roy. <br><br> Tado's career made steady progress throughout 1975-76 with records like 'Weak Heart Is Babylon', 'I Kill The Barber', 'Poison Flour' and 'Gimme Mi Gun'. Then on Boxing Day 1976 the Doc's fortunes changed for the worse. While walking up Orange Street after an early morning dip in the sea Tado was struck down and nearly killed by a bus. He was out of action in hospital for some time with his legs badly injured. He eventually managed to recover and although penniless got a free session at Channel One Studio during which he recorded a passionate song that told the story of his accident, 'Born For A Purpose'. In the song he tells of how the bus driver was intent on running him over for daring to wear his dreadlocks in the street - Tado pleads in the song "If you feel that you have no reason for living, Don't determine my life."