"I always knew, really, that I was a late night person."

February 11, 2013 7:29 AM

Derek Morris is a septuagenarian former Cadbury's accountant from Bristol. He works a straight 9 to 5. That is 9pm to 5am, because he's also a legendary reggae DJ who M.C.s in Jamaican patois. His album is here (and part 2 of the video is here).
posted by bashos_frog (12 comments total)

Bonus link: Ruth Flowers, aka Mamy Rock, another senior citizen on the turntables; who's decidedly less low-key than DJ Derek.
posted by bashos_frog at 7:32 AM on February 11

This is fabulous. I love how the accountancy shines through on the video, when he starts talking about expenses.
posted by .kobayashi. at 7:44 AM on February 11

who M.C.s in Jamaican patois

That's not entirely uncomplicated.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 7:59 AM on February 11

An old girlfriend of mine worked every day with three Jamaican women. She picked it up after a while, too. Enough, that on at least one occasion she was able to 'translate' for me. I imagine Derek's internship at the barbershop was a similar experience.
posted by bashos_frog at 8:54 AM on February 11

He certainly gives T-Wog a run for his money
posted by Flashman at 8:56 AM on February 11

Saw Derek at Larmer Tree festival in 2007, it was quite something.
posted by memebake at 9:34 AM on February 11

This is brilliant.
posted by grabbingsand at 10:39 AM on February 11

I love the story about how he'd used to DJ from behind a shutter, and the call "Jesus Christ! It's a white man!" when he was finally spotted. Turns out that's the line that I never really realized was missing from The Wizard of Oz.
posted by .kobayashi. at 11:20 AM on February 11 [3 favorites]

Sweet memory ! this takes me back to my time in Bristol listening to community radio from the Jamaican part of town, now online I just found! Hurrah! Passion Radio FM
posted by yoHighness at 11:37 AM on February 11

PS. Passion FM actually had DJ Derek himself for the past 2 hours! Oh internets how I love thee!
posted by yoHighness at 1:11 PM on February 11

DJ Derek! Wow, big it up Bristol!
posted by glasseyes at 3:10 PM on February 11

I've seen a lovely picture of the band Burlington Berties in top hat and tails, when DJ Derek was their drummer. Mike Tobin (Mike Tobin and the Magnettes) has a fantastic archive of photos, playbills and old adverts from the 50s and 60s Bristol music scene. Someone should make a documentary.
posted by glasseyes at 3:15 PM on February 11