Joseph Bonner, also commonly known by the nickname Spanner Banner, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician.
Biography
Bonner was born on the 6th of February in 1959, in the rural area of Rock Hall, St. Andrew, Jamaica. The brother of fellow reggae stars Pliers, Richie Spice, and Snatcha Lion, Bonner began his career in the late 1980s on the Bidia sound system in St. Andrew, and had hits with songs such as "Life Goes On" with producer Winston Riley. He co-wrote Chaka Demus and Pliers' chart-topping "Tease Me", and rose to prominence himself in the mid-1990s with albums on RAS (Now and Forever) and Island Jamaica (Chill), working with Sly and Robbie on the latter. He went on to release the Real Love album in 2001 on Heartbeat Records, featuring contributions from Tanya Stephens, Lady Saw, and Sean Paul among others.
After relocating to England for a few years, Bonner returned to Jamaica and found success again. In 2009, he returned to the charts with the Donovan Germain-produced "Rolling Stones", and won the 'Biggest Comeback Artiste' award at the 2010 EME Awards. In 2011 he set up the Bonner Yard Productions record label.
In February 2014, he announced plans to release a new album, to be preceded by an EP in March.