Reggae legend Beres Hammond will kick off a concert tour of North America in Bermuda later this year, The Royal Gazette can reveal.The prolific Jamaican singer/songwriter is scheduled to perform here on July 31 with a full entourage that includes band, back-up singers and dancers.The show will be the first leg of Hammond’s One Life, One Love concert tour of North America. The tour is named after the singer’s latest album that was released last year and soared to the top of the Billboard reggae albums chart.The One Life, One Love tour will see the veteran crooner perform in cities including Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, Toronto and Vancouver.Hammond has chosen Bermuda as the first stop of his upcoming concert tour because of the fond memories he has of the Island and the many friendships he established here over the years.Local organisers are expected to announce more details on July’s show in the coming weeks.The 57-year-old reggae star has performed here on several occasions. He last performed here in September 2008 at the Culture Shock Sweetness Is My Weakness concert at Somerset Cricket Club.Hammond is renowned for his romantic lovers’ rock and soulful voice which has churned out hits such as ‘What One Dance Can Do’, ‘Tempted To Touch’, ‘Groovy Little Thing’, ‘Is This a Sign’ and ‘Putting Up Resistance’.The reggae great began his career in the early 1970s, participating in talent contests in his native Jamaica after initially being inspired by late R&B legends Sam Cooke and Otis Redding and later compatriot Alton Ellis.The late Ellis is regarded as the godfather of the music genre rocksteady, which is a successor to ska and a precursor to reggae. Hammond’s first recording was a remake of Ellis’ ‘Wanderer’.After a four-year stint as lead singer for the band Zap Pow, Hammond pursued a solo career which took flight in the mid-1980s with the international success of his smash hit ‘What One Dance Can Do’. More success followed the Jamaican singer the next year with his hit ‘Settling Down’.In 1987 Hammond teamed up with Maxi Priest for the duet single ‘How Can We Ease The Pain’ that was recorded in New York along with his ‘Have A Nice Weekend’ album.He signed with Penthouse Records in 1990 and recorded the dancehall smash ‘Tempted to Touch’ which is regarded as one of his most popular songs among American and British fans.His 1992 single ‘Fire’ received critical acclaim within the reggae industry.Hammond recorded six albums during the 1990s along with several compilations to firmly establish himself among the top of the lovers’ rock pecking order.The reggae great is the ninth of ten children and was born August 1955 in Annotto Bay, St Mary, Jamaica.