Biography
Initially functioning as a dance ensemble, the Fabulous Flames delivered synchronized choreography in support of Byron Lee And The Dragonaires along Jamaica’s northern coast. Lovindeer, Kirk Salmon and Oswald ‘Dougie’ Douglas formed the lineup. Their accomplished routines earned recognition, prompting an invitation to tour the West Indies with Carlos Malcolm And His Afro Caribs. In 1969 the ensemble performed at Canada’s Caribana festival, which generated additional bookings. One engagement took place on Toronto’s celebrated Yonge Street, where the group encountered Glen Ricks and recruited him as a member. Ricks accompanied the Flames back to Jamaica and, under Clancy Eccles’s production, they cut Neil Diamond’s “Holly Holy.” Powered by organ and a sinuous groove, the track became an immediate success and anchored the Clandisc roster. Prince Buster subsequently adapted the same rhythm for his explicit version, “Holy Fishey.” Issued in the UK, the original recording nearly entered the pop chart and carried Lord Creator’s “Kingston Town” on the b-side. That song later appeared on UB40’s multi-million-selling Labour Of Love II and reached number one on the UK chart when issued as a single in 1990. Additional Flames releases included the introspective “Growing Up” and the buoyant “Hi De High.” By the early 1970s the members dispersed: Lovindeer and Ricks entered Fabulous Five Inc. before launching solo careers, while the other two relocated to Canada. During the 1980s Salmon resumed performing, contributing guitar to the Canadian ensemble Livestock.