British Virgin Islander musical artist (1942–2007)
Jon Lucien |
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 Lucien in 1991 |
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| Birth name | Lucien Leopold Harrigan |
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| Born | (1942-01-08)January 8, 1942
Tortola, British Virgin Islands |
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| Died | August 18, 2007(2007-08-18) (aged 65)
Orlando, Florida |
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| Genres | Soul, soul jazz, funk, R&B |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer |
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| Years active | 1960s–2000s |
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| Labels | RCA, Columbia, Mercury, Shanachie, Sugar Apple Music |
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| Website | jonlucien.com |
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Musical artist
Lucien Leopold Harrigan (January 8, 1942 – August 18, 2007), known professionally as Jon Lucien, was a singer from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. His parents were Eric "Rico" Lucien Harrigan and Eloise Turnbull Harrigan of Tortolan families. His father was a musician whose main instrument was a three-coursed Latin guitar-like chordophone known as a Tres.[1]
Life and career
Born in Tortola in 1942, Lucien was raised in St. Thomas. As a teenager, he played bass in his father's band. During the 1960s he moved to New York City.[2] While performing at a party, he was discovered by an executive from RCA, which released his debut album (I Am Now, 1970) of pop and jazz standards.[2] Lucien said the label attempted to market him as a "black Sinatra". His second album, Rashida, contained only songs written by Lucien, with "Lady Love" receiving radio airplay.[2] Dave Grusin received a Grammy Award nomination for his arrangements.[2][3] He recorded two albums for Columbia before making guest appearances on Yesterday's Dreams by Alphonso Johnson and Mr. Gone by Weather Report.[2][4]
His daughter drowned in 1980, and he spent much of the decade struggling with drug addiction.[5] He returned to music with the albums Listen Love (Mercury, 1991) and Mother Nature's Son (Mercury, 1993).[2][4] Another daughter died in the crash of TWA Flight 800,[6] and Lucien dedicated his album Endless Love (1997) to her.[2]
He died of respiratory failure in Orlando, Florida, on August 18, 2007.[7]
