Keith Poppin

As a young boy growing up in Westmoreland, Keith Smith had dreams of becoming a star. His neighbors in this western Jamaican town included such future legends as Peter Tosh and Ronnie Davis of the Itals. Keith’s family later moved to Kingston when he was still a young man, where Keith spent most of his youth. At the age of 17, like many aspiring artists of the time, Keith headed to the legendary studios of Kingston to find a vehicle for his talents. Keith’s natural ability and church-honed vocals soon led to him singing back up at Studio One after an afternoon audition with Leroy Sibbles and Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd. Keith sang on a few Studio One tracks and even recorded a few with his friends Junior Greene and Winston Neufil as the Robins, credited on some compilations as ‘Winston & Robin.’ He also sang backing vocals on the smash hit “Blood & Fire” by Winston “Niney” Holness aka Niney the Observer. Keith was soon performing at venues in town such as the Regal and the elegant Ward.