TRUE IDENTITY
HISTORY & BIOGRAPHY
Never Lose Your True Identity
True Identity are a reggae singing trio, members are Joanne Cotterell, Rowena Cotterell and Pamela Francis.
Their union spans their teenage years into adult life. The sisters Ro and Jo (commonly known as) started singing at home and church heavily influenced by choir singing mother, sound system brother and soul-head older sister. Pam’s father was a great influence musically in the home, playing the bass and had a very wide collection of vinyl reggae classics. Their young years caught them in the new UK 80’s craze of Lover’s Rock and Roots Rock Reggae
The group formed whist at school and had joined a band in their primary school classroom called Black Stallion before breaking away and re-grouping themselves ‘True Identity’ - (TID).
They practiced together as a harmony singing trio, developing a blend that would cut through the air adding colour to the harmonics as the sound travelled to the listeners’ ear. They would often talk about 'feeling it' as it the voices came together.
TID was originally a full band, consisting of musicians Dennis and Billy Cross (keys and drums) the brothers of renowned Lovers Rock singer Sandra Cross, Andrew Roachford (bass – now international rock and RnB artist, song writer and producer) and Mark on guitar. They also had many visiting musicians that enjoyed working with them whenever they needed the support.
The group recorded two songs (1982) on the Blue Beat Label run by Bill Campbell (producer of Ginger Williams, Valerie Harrison and Pete Campbell). This was never distributed and had a very limited vinyl release – Song title “All In Me” (Cotterell) on the A side and “Spluff Spliff” (Cross) on the AA side. The producer had to get consent from our parents..
From then on, the teenagers were quite determined to put into action their love of singing and performing on the circuit and took over the regular spot at the George Canning pub; this venue is now the ever popular Hootananny Brixton which also more recently helped to relaunch their career in the 2000’s. They were one of the first reggae groups to perform under the direction of Cecil Reuben at that venue. The group continue to support artists on countless recorded tracks providing back-ground vocals – something they are continually in demand for.
It took a while for TID to return to the music scene following career and family breaks, however the group’s commercial work experience would help them to strategise.
The group regularly perform live (their first love) and hence are always asked the question why they had not released an album before; they had recorded an album in the early 2000’s but decided not to put out on general release. It was not until 2013 that they launched their own executively produced EP “Coming Home” with digital release in 2014.
Although the group predominately sing reggae music, they have a gospel background – they have been involved with other genres including gospel, r’n’b, jazz, rock, doo-wop /barber shop and indie and pop.
Their influences are far and wide – from the group I-Threes to the Emotions, Supremes, Perry Sisters, En Vogue, Brownstone, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Marcia Griffiths. Male harmony groups influences include The Abyssinians, The Royal Rasses, The Heptones, the Techniques, The Mighty Diamonds, The Platters and the great UK female trio Brown Sugar and so many more.
True Identity has supported several UK and International Artists from their teenage years and continues to support the veterans and established and rising reggae artist’s right to this day!
The group were invited to Jamaica following a performance at the Jamaica High Commission in London and performed at the 2013 Western Consciousness Festival for the 25th year anniversary; this was the last one held in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This fulfilled a long held ambition of theirs, performing with a live band in Jamaica with some of the best musicians.
See the Affiliations Page for more information on who we have had the honour of sharing and supporting on the stage.