In line with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, to which Blackwell was inducted in 2001, he’s the single individual most responsible for turning the planet to reggae music. Returning to Britain in 1962, he sold records in the rear of his automobile to the Jamaican community.
Backed by Stanley Borden from RKO Entertainment, Blackwell’s company and reach grew well, and he went to invent the careers of Bob Marley, Grace Jones and U2 amongst a number of other varied high profile acts. He’s made many seminal records, including Marley’s “Catch A Fire” and “Uprising”.
Blackwell is involved with numerous philanthropic organizations. In 2003, Blackwell found the Goldeneye Film Festival, which ran for 3 years. In September that year, Blackwell received the enviable Jamaican Musgrave Medal, given to Jamaicans who shine in the arts, music and public service. Blackwell revisited his family’s heritage in Jamaica’s banana, coconut, and rum export sectors in 2009, when, in the age of 72 years, he introduced his own brand of rum, “Blackwell Black Gold”, onto the booze marketplace. The drink is manufactured from Jamaican sugar cane, water, and yeast, and aged in American oak barrels. In April 2009, great Britain magazine Music Week named Blackwell the most powerful figure in the last 50 years of the British music business.
Businessperson, Record producer, Film Producer, Actor, Film Score Composer, Television producer
Education
Harrow School
Nationality
England
Spouse
Mary Vinson (m. 1998–2009)
Children
Jake Blackwell, Ollie Blackwell
Parents
Joseph Blackwell, Blanche Lindo
Nicknames
Blackwell, Chris , Christopher Percy Gordon Blackwell , Christopher Percy Gordon "Chris" Blackwell , Chris
Awards
Grammy Trustees Award
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Movies
Third World Cop, Good to Go, Countryman, Ken Adam: Designing Bond, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Los Angeles, CA, United States, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Star Sign
Cancer
#
Fact
1
He owns "James Bond" writer Ian Fleming's former Jamaican home, Goldeneye. It is now a luxury resort. Blackwell grew up nearby.
2
Founded the Palm Pictures group in 1997.
3
Sold Island Records to PolyGram (now Universal Music) in 1991.
4
Was almost single-handedly responsible for bringing reggae music to the world outide of Jamaica by signing Bob Marley to Island Records.
5
Founded Island Records in 1960.
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Marley
2012
Documentary executive producer
Arena
2007
TV Series documentary executive producer - 1 episode
Sun Dogs
2006
Documentary executive producer
The Last Minute
2001
executive producer
Third World Cop
1999
executive producer
Dancehall Queen
1997
executive producer
Mandela
1996
Documentary executive producer
The Basketball Diaries
1995
executive producer
New Orleans Live!
1992
TV Movie executive producer
The Lunatic
1991
executive producer
Sidewalk Stories
1989
executive producer
Big Time
1988
Documentary executive producer
Sweet Lies
1987
executive producer
Slam Dance
1987
executive producer - uncredited
Good to Go
1986
executive producer
Choose Me
1984
executive producer
Countryman
1982
producer
Caribbean Nights: The Bob Marley Story
1982
Documentary executive producer
The Harder They Come
1972
executive producer - uncredited
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Strisser på Samsø
1998
TV Series
Styrmand
Quatermass
1979
TV Mini-Series
Dancer
Out of the Unknown
1967
TV Series
Robot
Dr. No
1962
Henchman jumping off dock into water (uncredited)
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Show Down at the O.K. Cinema
2007
Short
The Jules & Lulu Show
2004
TV Series
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends
2012
Video Game musician: bass / musician: drums
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Strapless
1989
music: "Skyred" uncred
A Chorus of Disapproval
1989
music: "Midnight Lady", "Big Jig" - uncredited
Location Management
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dr. No
1962
location manager - uncredited
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mad Dogs & Englishmen
1971
Documentary manager: Island Artists Ltd.
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bridget's Sexiest Beaches
2009
TV Series documentary special thanks - 1 episode
The Upsetter: The Life and Music of Lee Scratch Perry
2008
Documentary thanks
Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub
2008
Documentary special thanks
Africa Unite: A Celebration of Bob Marley's 60th Birthday
2008
Documentary heartfelt thanks
No Place Like Home
2006/I
very special thanks
Ian Fleming: 007's Creator
2000
Video documentary short special thanks
Let's Talk About Sex
1998
very special thanks
An Evening with Harry Belafonte & Friends
1997
TV Movie thanks: for their enthusiasm, friendship and support
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
1996
special thanks
The Reggae Movie
1995
Documentary special thanks
In the Name of the Father
1993
thanks
U2: Rattle and Hum
1988
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dreadtown
Documentary post-production
Himself
Radio Caroline
Documentary filming
Himself
Downloaded
2013
Documentary
Himself
Marley
2012
Documentary
Himself
Toots and the Maytals Reggae Got Soul
2011
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Keep on Running: 50 Years of Island Records
2009
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Bridget's Sexiest Beaches
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself
Impact: Songs That Changed the World
2007
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Roots of Reggae: The Ernest Ranglin Story
2006
Video documentary short
Himself
Reggae: The Story of Jamaican Music
2002
TV Series documentary
Himself
Ian Fleming: 007's Creator
2000
Video documentary short
Himself
Ken Adam: Designing Bond
2000
Video documentary short
Himself
Inside 'Dr. No'
2000
Video documentary short
Himself
Classic Albums: Bob Marley & the Wailers - Catch a Fire