Big respect to all,

I was somewhat impressed to see the page that you dedicated to Terry, but not surprised. My name is Paul (lonzi) Lungrin hailing from Flagaman / Southfield St Elizabeth Jamaica and living in Redditch, Worcestershire England just outside Birmingham. I first met Terry on a visit to Southfield in 1993 when he was 17 yrs old. Terry had just released Rainbow never touch the ground on the kutchie riddim - (how yu fi say dat label) courtesy of Anthony Redrose and Malvo a song that got plenty airplay in Jamaica but, sadly never crossed the seas in great numbers. This was his second song, the first being Sweet Cassandra on the Million label as mentioned in your article. Terry, real name Kiplin Simpson, was born in Christiana, St Elizabeth, Jamaica and was raised by his grandparents when his dad left to live in England leaving his very young and very very religious mother June to bring up 2 other children. When Kiplin's mother married she moved to Mandeville where Kiplin joined her. There he hung around with a local sound from the area known to millions as the one and only Black Kat, cutting dubs for Panther and the crew. While mixing with the crew of Black Kat he met many well known local artists Degree, Tony Rebel and the man whose voice Terry was to perfect: Garnet Silk. Terry soon formed a very close friendship with Degree who on many occasions encouraged the talents of Terry, often taking him to the studio with him. Terry also met a wealthy local bus owner from Southfield called Million who persuaded Terry to join his sound of the same name where he went on to cut the tune Sweet Cassandra on Million's own label.

While with Million, Terry met two of the most influential people of his career, Tyrone Taylor & Courtney Melody who were great friends of Million. Tyrone is the man responsible for transforming Terry from "impresionist" into a serious contender for one of Jamaica's great all time singers. Taylor, a man who at times is difficult to work with but is very professional and very serious when it comes to music, taught Linen most of what he knows. That is why where ever you see Linen, Taylor is not far behind or accessible by phone.

After Garnet Silk's death Terry was very disillusioned with Jamaica and the whole reggae business and drifted away from the music scene and became very sick, almost dying from a mystery illness. All this time I had been very close with him and have been ever since. In 1996 I brought Terry to England and he stayed with me at my home for 6 months and I convinced him that he has a great talent and should not let it go to waste. He immediately responded by reinventing his ambitions and desires for music. Terry would spend night and day listening to his favourite artists Mariah Carey & Stevie Wonder.

I tried to line him up on some big shows that were going on at the time but, as usual no one wants to know you when you are down. Still we carried on and I organised a small show for Terry in order that we could give him some small change and a chance to show his talent. The show was a roadblock with Exterminator, Galaxy FM (Big John 2004) P.C.R.L radio, and many more giving their time FREE. Terry Linen was re-invented from that moment on. We hooked up with a producer out of Birmingham by the name of Kevin "DICKIE" Delahay a man who has worked tirelessly with almost every artist imaginable. Dickie although modest would undobtedly argue that Linen HAS THE MOST ORIGINAL, POWERFUL AND SWEETEST VOICE he has ever heard. While here Linen voiced a number of tunes for Dickie, who is soon to release a number of these tunes. One in particular will take Linen to new heights when it is released. It is a re-cut of Marley's Fussing And Fighting and we have been awaiting Capleton who will do a combination on the track with Linen. Believe me, Linen's success is due to explode onto these shores very soon and he is still only 23.

Lonzi