Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Secret Laboratory Studio - Blue Ark - Burns Down

Lee "Scratch" Perry's Secret Laboratory studio in Switzerland, also known as the Blue Ark, has burnt down in a fire. As Pitchfork reports, the pioneering dub producer took to Facebook after the fire destroyed the studio and everything inside of it, admitting that he had carelessly left a candle burning when he went to bed, stating "I am so sad and my wife is so mad."
Besides recording equipment and the studio itself, the dub and reggae icon also lost all of the wild costumes for which he is known, as well as his entire life's collection of records, books and other personal items including his "magic hats," "magic boots" and "magic mic" in the fire--absolutely everything is gone.

Over the years, fans have joined the artist in creating colorful handcrafted hats and other wearable works of art and giving them to him during shows. In the Facebook statement, Perry asks fans, referring to them as "angels," who have been working on these "perfect things" to please send them to him in advance of his upcoming tour, explaining that he is now headed to Jamaica and will not have time to recreate any of the "special outfits" that were lost in the fire. The artist has offered fans who help him piece his wardrobe back together spots on guestlists as well as backstage access. Anyone wishing to help Perry get back on his feet can get in touch with him via his Facebook.

The only thing sadder than a legendary musician losing his records, recording equipment and concert costumes is it happening twice in one career. This most recent incident follows forty years after a fire ravished the famous Black Ark studio the artist had built for himself in Kingston, Jamaica back in 1979. As Thump reports, he has said in interviews that he burnt down Black Ark on purpose, though his reasoning has vacillated over the years.

The good news is that Perry has proven to be resilient before, so this fire won't stop him from celebrating his 80th birthday with a concert in March and the subsequent tour dates.

While the artist recently told Thump that he burnt down Black Ark in order to expel evil, he could just as easily blame both fires on the disco devil. Listen to his classic song "Disco Devil" below.