From the Archives 6/29/25- Electric Prayers & Psychedelic Prophets: The June 29 Lyons Den

August 4, 2025·3 hr 51 min·15 clips

Discover why Prince Buster called Derek Morgan a sellout for switching to a Chinese producer's label.

This episode is a special reggae music takeover of The Lyons Den Radio Show, featuring host George Lyons and guest DJ Mike "Roskell" Kelly. Mike Kelly is a renowned reggae DJ and historian who hosts the show "Kelly's Heroes" in Gig Harbor, Washington. The four-hour episode is structured as a curated journey through reggae, dub, ska, and rocksteady history, playing rare vinyl and classic tracks. Specific artists featured include Bob Marley & The Wailers, King Tubby, Linval Thompson, Bunny Wailer, Prince Buster, and Derek Morgan. The hosts detail the historical rivalry between Prince Buster and Derek Morgan, sparked when Morgan left Buster's label to work with Chinese-Jamaican producer Leslie Kong. They play tracks like "Blackhead Chinaman" by Prince Buster and "Blazing Fire" by Derek Morgan, which were part of this musical feud. The setlist includes Bunny Wailer's Grammy-winning "Crucial Roots Classics" and a rare 7-inch single of "Ethiopia" by Carol Cole on Lee "Scratch" Perry's Orchid label. A caller from the Pacific Northwest phones in, prompting discussion about the reggae scenes in Seattle and Las Vegas. One memorable segment features "dub poetry" with a live performance of "War Amongst The Rebels" by Linton Kwesi Johnson. The hosts explain how producer Keith Hudson is credited with the first recording of the legendary toaster U-Roy. They also highlight the Easy Star All-Stars' reggae interpretation of Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon." Mike Kelly shares that his weekly show often runs past its scheduled time because he holds the station keys. George Lyons reveals that his first radio experience was actually on Mike Kelly's show, a fact Mike confirmed with old tapes. The episode includes a track from the film *The Harder They Come*, with the hosts noting its portrayal of Jamaican musicians' struggles in the early 1970s. The tone is deeply conversational, educational, and reverent, framed as a "Reggae College" session with "Professor Kelly." The style is that of two knowledgeable enthusiasts sharing a passion, blending music playback with rich historical anecdotes and personal stories. Reggae aficionados, vinyl collectors, and music historians would love this episode for its depth of knowledge and rare track selections. Listeners seeking talk-based interviews, current music, or non-musical content might skip this dedicated, archival reggae showcase.

As heard by us

A loose, generous reggae set that rewards listeners who like deep cuts and unhurried radio.

George Lyons and Mike Kelly steer this four-hour KUNV Las Vegas reggae-dub broadcast with an easy hand, moving through Roots Rock Reggae, Sky Rock Steady, Blue Beat Dubs, Dance Hall Versions, and related grooves without forcing the pace.

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Why you'd press play

You want four solid hours of reggae and dub from a real FM studio.

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