Biography
Louis Lorn ‘Chelem’ ‘Bassie’ Roxburgh was one of 13 children in a very musical family. His father was a world-class player of numerous instruments from saxophone to guitar, and taught many others to become world-class musicians in their own right. In fact, his father gave reggae legend Peter Tosh his first guitar lessons. Coming from this background, Chelem was destined to become a great musician.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Chelem was the bassist and musical director for The Itals backing band, “God’s Children.” Early on, they took Peter Tosh’s advice and changed their name to “Jah Children.” Under this new name, Jah Children traveled the world. It was during this period when Chelem wrote much of the music for The Itals’ early albums, including Brutal Out Deh, Give Me Power, and the Grammy-nominated Rasta Philosophy.
Chelem performed at the very first Reggae on the River in 1984, as well as several times throughout his career. He shared the stage with too many artists to mention, but a few of them are Ziggy Marley, Dennis Brown, The Abyssinians, Etana, Tanya Stephens, Garnet Silk and King Yellowman.
He was a prolific studio musician and producer, for artists such as Frankie Paul, Jack Radics, Edi Fitzroy and countless others.
Chelem’s dream, however, was to release an album of his own. riddimBank collected songs that were part of a compilation album, and many others that were never finished. They took these “rough mixes,” cleaned them, and presented them the best way possible. The goal was to present his songs in a way that he would be proud to call this album his own. The result is We the Citizens, released in 2020.
riddimBank was uniquely qualified to produce this album, as they recorded all of these songs with Chelem and co-wrote most of the music. They also spent countless hours working together in the studio with hundreds of artists. They have an insight into the musical decisions he would make, and tried their best to capture them on this album.
Chelem left us too soon, but he will never be forgotten.
We the Citizens
The album Chelem never got to finish, completed by the people who recorded it with him.
Buy or stream the album
Free single & lyrics booklet
Join the mailing list and Chelem’s family and friends will send you a single and the booklet.
Join the email listWhat they said about him
It’s hard to find words to describe Chelem. The man was a genius. He was a teacher in music and in larger things. There are a lot of people that he taught music and life to. He was great — greater than even he knew. He was bigger than life and I really miss him.
I can’t say everything I want to say about Chelem here, but what I do want to say is that he’s a great teacher, musician, and friend. In all of the years I spent being around him and performing with him on stage, I’ve learned so much. He was always a great example for my generation of musicians to follow and he always shared knowledge with us. His music and his spirit are timeless.
Chelem was one of my early heroes. He was the first musical person to take me under his wings, and he did so when I was very, very young. I didn’t understand music — all I had was a voice. He was the one to say, ‘You’re on key,’ ‘You’re off key,’ ‘You’re on time,’ ‘You’re off time.’ I used to spend a lot of time at his house listening to him play guitar and sing. I learned so much from just being around him. He was the first one that put my hands on a guitar and said, ‘This is the C, this is B.’ So he was just a very positive influence in my life and career from the get-go.
Share a memory of Chelem
Messages come to riddimBank, not to Chelem’s family — we are no longer in touch with them. riddimBank recorded with him for years and finished his album. They are read, and they are kept.