A contemporary of the great Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke, despite his relative obscurity, was at one time one of the most popular vocalists in Jamaica. In fact, in the mid-70s, while working with producer Bunny Lee, Clarke was considered to be the main act in Lee's stable of talent — more important than even Andy although Clarke has not benefitted from the kind of career renaissance that Andy has.

Born in the tough and violent Trenchtown section of Kingston, Jamaica in 1955, Clarke's career began at age 17 when, after winning a talent contest, he cut the single "God Made the Sea and the Sun" for producer Rupie Edwards. Although the record didn't do very well (actually, it was a stiff) Edwards was convinced that Clarke's smooth voice, sort of a semi-croon, had great potential. Two follow-up singles fared much better (especially in Britain) and led to Clarke's big break, hooking up with producer/entrepreneur Bunny Lee. It was under Lee that Clarke recorded some of his best work usually at a fast and furious pace (such was the style of Lee and many other producers at the time). Clarke quickly became Lee's bread and butter act, no small feat considering that along with Clarke, Lee was supervising the careers of Horace Andy, Cornel Campbell, Derrick Morgan, and Linval Thompson.