Gladdy Wax

Mr Vinyl Fingers

The award-winning Gladdy Wax, also known as Mr Vinyl Fingers, is one of the UK’s most highly respected revival selectors and reggae sound system operators. He has a seriously deep record collection but, more importantly, is a passionate entertainer and selector par excellence.

Catching Gladdy in action is an experience like no other. His attention to detail is unrivalled: from the warmth of his sound system to his gold record centres and trademark white gloves.

Gladdy Wax Roadshow

The mighty Gladdy Wax Roadshow sound system regularly plays at high-profile festivals and events across the country, with the biggest being London’s Notting Hill Carnival – widely cited as being the second largest street carnival in the world.

With his regular spot outside number 304 Portobello Road (near the corner of Golborne Road), Gladdy Wax has been entertaining the masses at carnival for over 35 years.

Gladdy at Carnival

Although Gladdy is best known as a selector, his talents extend to singing and deejaying. His latest recording, aptly titled Gladdy At Carnival, was released in 2021 – as both an MP3 and a 7" vinyl 45 (paired with the Carroll Thompson track Dance With Me).

Wax Unlimited

Gladdy Wax came to the UK as a teenager in 1965. He went on to DJ for Birmingham’s Quaker City sound in the 1970s and released several records in the 1980s under the names Gladwin Wright and Glady Wax.

After relocating to London, his fame grew thanks to his community radio shows and live appearances. In the early 1990s, Gladdy opened a record shop in Stoke Newington called Wax Unlimited. This north London institution became a popular community hub until its closure in 2006.