| Bitty McLean | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Bitty McLean |
| Born | 8 August 1972 Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Reggae, lovers rock, ragga |
| Occupations | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | Brilliant Records, Kuff Records, Peckings Records |
Bitty McLean (born 8 August 1972,[1] Birmingham, England) is a British/Jamaican reggae, lovers rock and ragga musician. He is best known for his three UK Top 10 hits in 1993 and 1994, including his debut offering "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)".
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The youngest of six children, Delroy McLean was nicknamed "Bitty" due to his small stature.[2] As a teenager he performed with local sound systems, and after studying sound engineering at college, he was employed by UB40 as an engineer and producer, and occasionally also sang with the band.[1]
He was most popular around the mid 1990s with cover versions of songs including The Shirelles' "Dedicated to the One I Love" (UK #6[3]) and Fats Domino's "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)" (1993), which was his biggest UK hit, peaking at #2.[3] McLean's song "It Keeps Rainin' (Tears from My Eyes)" topped the charts in New Zealand and the Netherlands in 1993. McLean also played on three UK arena tours supporting UB40, Wet Wet Wet and Simply Red respectively.[2]
In 2004, he released the album On Bond Street KGN. JA., which featured his vocals recorded over vintage Tommy McCook and Duke Reid-produced, Treasure Isle rhythms from the rocksteady era, most with new lyrics of his own, but also using David Ruffin's "Walk Away From Love" and David Gates' "Make It With You".[1] He recorded a studio album in 2007, entitled Movin' On, with Sly and Robbie at their One Pop studios in Kingston, Jamaica. Movin' On was released on Taxi / Silent River / Mideya label in Europe and the US, while JVC released it in Japan. McLean and Sly & Robbie toured Japan, Europe and Morocco in 2008 and 2009. McLean is preparing a new album with Sly & Robbie, and a live DVD recorded with Sly & Robbie and the Taxi Gang, during their concert in Paris in May 2009.
He is uncle to footballer Aaron McLean and singer Anthony, under the artist name of "McLean".[4]