Dawn Penn
Famous for her hit song “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” Dawn Penn is one of the original queens of reggae music.
A native of Kingston, Jamaica, she grew up in a musical family, studying piano, classical violin and performing with her sisters Pat and Audrey in churches. Her first recording was “When I’m Gonna Be Free” was in 1966. She was then recorded by the legendary Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and her first hit came in 1967 with the title “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)”, one of the most famous reggae hits of all time which has been covered by countless artists around the world including Beyonce, Rihanna, Sean Paul, Wu-Tang Clan, Eve, J Millz, Mims, and Lily Allen to name a few.
Over the next several years several singles were released including three: “Blue Yes Blue”, “Here’s The Key” Long Day Short Night” “Blue Yes Blue and “Are you There” on Prince Buster’s Label. In 1970, she moved to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands to explore her roots on her father’s side. She returned to Jamaica in 1987, re-recording “You Don’t Love Me” with Steelie and Cleavie in 1991. Steelie & Cleavie’s version (which they recorded to commemorate Studio One’s 35th Anniversary) was a crossover hit in the mainstream pop charts and was picked up by Heartbeat in the U.S. King Jammy’s recording that was done the year before with Bounty Killer, Dennis Brown and Ken Boothe, under separate recording on the Greensleeves label became a dancehall smash.
