Spanner Banner serves as the professional identity of Joseph Anthony Bonner, a Jamaican-born reggae artist and composer. Born to Violet and Ivanhoe Bonner as one of their eleven children, he counts himself among four siblings who pursued careers in music. His brother Pliers entered professional recording in 1987 and formed half of Chaka Demus & Pliers, whose global successes encompass “Tease Me.” Banner himself wrote and first cut the track, after which Pliers guided it to a Top 5 placement on the British charts. Another sibling, Richie Spice, arrived on the American scene in summer 2000 via the Universal album on that label, an outing that showcased three Bonner brothers together through guest spots by Banner and DJ Snatcher Dogg. Four years earlier, Spice had registered a major success with the single “All Night Long.”
Music drew Banner’s attention from childhood, prompting him to experiment with songwriting and to perform locally in St. Andrew. Toward the close of the 1980s he collaborated with producer Winston Riley—who also performs with the Techniques—on the single “Life Goes On.” The release attracted a wide following and prompted an album of the same name. Attention from established figures such as Bobby Digital and Philip “Fattis” Burrell soon followed, launching his sustained recording trajectory. In 1993 Island Jamaica signed him to a contract. The ensuing year brought the album Now & Forever, while 1996 saw the arrival of Chill. Sly & Robbie contributed to the latter project, which the Jamaican Music Awards recognized as Best Produced Album of the year. Several singles emerged from it, including “Universal Love,” “Cheater,” “What We Need Is Love,” “Michelle,” “You Gotta Be,” and the title track. Banner promoted the record through extensive touring across the United States, Europe, Africa, and Great Britain.
By 1997 he had issued Clean Up Your Action and founded his own imprint, Sweet Angel. The new label released Lover’s Story the next year, yielding the hit single “Ladies Man,” with Goldfinger handling production on three of its tracks. Beyond his own performances, writing, and recordings, Banner assumed production responsibilities and forged a working relationship with the Jamaica-based Blend Dem Productions.
