On August 16, the Montego Bay Convention Centre filled with mourners paying their respects to Extoll “Dirty Harry” Earle, a man whose name became inseparable from the rise of sound system culture in western Jamaica.
Earle, who passed away on June 28 after suffering a stroke, was the founder of Ticka Music, a powerhouse sound system that defined nightlife and community gatherings from the mid-1970s onward. What began in 1974 as a schoolboy project while attending Cornwall College grew into a cultural force, one that helped shape Montego Bay’s musical landscape.
The Musical Architect
Ticka Music was not just another sound system. Under Earle’s guidance, it evolved from small parties and school events to commanding stages at Reggae Sunsplash in Jarrett Park, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kingston giants like Volcano and Stur Gav. With top acts such as Frankie Paul and Little John performing alongside them, Earle and his crew brought dancehall energy to western audiences who previously had to travel to Kingston for such spectacles.
Steve “Junior Smiley” Campbell, a longtime crew member, remembered him as more than a selector. “Ticka was the greatest—God-blessed, clean heart. Everyone loved him,” he said.
Bonds That Spanned Generations
Earle’s reach extended far beyond music. Neville Thompson of Buffalo Music Production, who traveled from South Florida to honor his friend of over five decades, recalled the warmth that defined their friendship. “The first thing he would say to me anytime we meet was, ‘High Priest, yuh good?’ Ticka could lift a room just by playing the right tune—he was a magician behind the console,” Thompson shared.
The service was also attended by national leaders including Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Horace Chang, Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon, and Dr. Andre Haughton, demonstrating how deeply Earle’s presence was felt across both cultural and civic life.
More Than Music
Though best known for his pioneering work in sound system culture, Earle’s talents weren’t limited to music. In the 1970s, he was a striker for Cornwall College’s daCosta Cup team and later represented St James at the parish level with Hornets FC. That competitive spirit carried into his music, where he fought for recognition not through aggression, but through artistry and consistency.
Legacy Carved in Sound
Earle’s passing leaves a void in Jamaica’s cultural memory, particularly in Montego Bay, where Ticka Music was not just entertainment, but an institution. The outpouring of tributes—ranging from lifelong friends to high-ranking officials—reflected his impact on both community and culture.
Extoll “Ticka” Earle is survived by his widow, Rosie, three children, four sisters, and one brother. His legacy lives on in every beat dropped, every crowd moved, and every young selector inspired to pick up the mantle of sound system culture.
