rocksteady (1967), reggae (1968)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

Jamaica's _Daily Gleaner_ is obviously a good source for early cites of
"rocksteady" and "reggae" (though Newspaperarchive lacks the editions from
the early '60s necessary to antedate "ska")...


* rocksteady, n. (OED2 1969)

1967 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 4 Mar. 6/7 (advt.) Tonite it's
"rock steady" night at the Ocean View Club ... Dance to the soul "rock
steady" beat of the Virtues.

1967 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 18 Jun. 8/5 This column is no
place to debate who "originated" the rock steady rhythm and probably, like
many musical phenomena, it actually evolved out of several different
circumstances. However, Hopeton Lewis personally wrote and sang several of
the most popular of the rock steady hits.


* rocksteady, v. (not in OED)

1967 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 9 Aug. 2/6 The majority of people
therefore just sipped beer and watched the few who had elbow room enough
to rock-steady.


* reggae, n. (OED2 has Toots & the Maytal's 1968 song title "Do the
Reggay"; 1969 for "reggae" spelling)

1968 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 7 Sep. 7/5 (advt.) Come do this
brand new dance - the reggae.

1968 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 27 Sep. 7/1 (advt.) Tonight! It's
reggae time when the exciting Wildcats present a pre-opening fun-filled
dance at The Road House.

1968 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 25 Oct. 24/3 The cleared area for
dancing was easily filled with the more elderly couples who danced the
Calypso their way and even had a go at the Ska. One gentleman was brave
enough to attempt the Reggae-reggae.

1968 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 22 Nov. 10/3 Commenting on the
rendition of excerpts from Bizet's "Carmen" by the Alpha girls, Mr.
Wynter, in a light vein, said that if there were any composers of "The
Reggae" present then he would be sure that "Carmen" would soon be put to
the Reggae beat.


* reggae, v. (not in OED)

1969 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 8 Jun. 8/6 All like we, Miss, we
have to reggae for we poor.

1970 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 2 Jan. 9 (caption) Here guests
reggaed and moonwalked to the music of the Caribs.

1970 _Daily Gleaner_ (Kingston, Jamaica) 24 Jul. 46/6 Sharon Emanuel drew
heavy applause and laughter from the audience for reggaeing her way
through her piece.


(The penultimate cite also beats Michael Jackson's "moonwalk" by about 13
years.)


--Ben Zimmer