Ronnie Nasralla OD (1930/1 – 20 January 2021) was a Jamaican record producer and businessman, best known for his work in the music industry with Byron Lee & the Dragonaires.
Biography Nasralla was born in Kingston, Jamaica to a Lebanese father and Jamaican mother.Campbell, Howard (2012), "'Great' to be Lauded", Jamaica Observer, 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012. He attended St. George's College, where he met Byron Lee, joining the early incarnation of the Dragonaires. A keen sportsman, Nasralla represented Jamaica in fencing, badminton, squash and football.
Through Edward Seaga he was introduced to artist management in the early 1960s, going on to manage the Dragonaires as well as The Blues Busters and The Maytals.Campbell, Howard (2013), "Ronnie's Moment", Jamaica Observer, 22 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013. He produced tracks by The Blues Busters and The Maytals which were released on his BMN record label. Nasralla also auditioned for bands to appear in the club scene of Dr. No, notably rejecting Bob Marley and the Wailers because they were "untidy". He eventually chose the Dragonaires.
He was involved in the Jamaican contribution to the 1964 World's Fair, choreographing ska dancers.O'Brien Chang, Kevin & Chen, Wayne (1998), Reggae Routes: The Story of Jamaican Music, Temple University Press, , pp. 36-7. In 1965 he formed Lee Enterprises with Byron Lee and Victor Sampson.Gooden, Lou (2003), Reggae Heritage: Jamaica's Music History, Culture & Politic, , p. 323. He co-produced several recordings with Lee, including The Maytals' "It's You" and "Daddy". He also worked with Lee at the Dynamic Sounds recording studio.Masouri, Jon (2008), Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's "Wailers": The Story of Bob Marley's "Wailers", Omnibus Press, . His contribution to the music industry in Jamaica was rewarded with a medal at the National Honours and Awards ceremony in the 1980s.
He later worked in the public relations and advertising industry, setting up Nasralla Promotions Ltd. and organizing events such as the Negril Music Festival."Business Opportunities in Jamaica", Black Enterprise, May 1997.
Nasralla's autobiography, Lessons to Learn, was published in 2009."Nasralla the writer?", Jamaica Gleaner, 21 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.Kelly, Daviot (2009), "Lessons from Ronnie", Jamaica Gleaner, 29 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
In 2013, Nasralla was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.Campbell, Howard (2013), "Honours in Order", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
Nasralla died peacefully at his home in Atlanta, U.S. on 20 January 2021 with his wife Rosemary by his side.
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