Alton Ellis

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Alton Ellis

Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD

Order of distinction

The Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament ? The National Honours and Awards Act....
, (September 1, 1938 – October 10, 2008) was a Jamaica

Jamaica

Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about south of Cuba, and west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated....
n musician

Musician

A musician is a person who plays or writes music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music:* An instrumentalist plays a musical instrument....
best known as one of the innovators of rocksteady

Rocksteady

Rocksteady is a music genre that was most popular in Jamaica, starting around 1966, and its reggae successor was established around 1968.The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton Ellis song "Rock Steady"....
music, and was often referred to as the "Godfather of Rocksteady". In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.

s was born in 1938 and grew up in Kingston's Trench Town district. Born into a musical family, he learned to play piano at a young age.

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Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD

Order of distinction

Jamaica

Musician

Rocksteady

Biography

Ellis was born in 1938 and grew up in Kingston's Trench Town district. Born into a musical family, he learned to play piano at a young age. He attended Ebeneezer and Boys' Town schools, where he excelled in both music and sport. He initially sought fame as a dancer, competing on Vere Johns

Vere Johns

Vere Johns was active as an impresario and radio personality in Jamaica in the early 1960s, along with Coxsone Dodd. He was a discoverer of young talent. He hosted the "Vere John's Opportunity Knocks Talent Show" on RJR Radio, Jamaica....
' Opportunity Hour. After winning a couple of competitions, he switched to singing, starting his career in 1959 as part of the duo Alton & Eddy with Eddy Perkins. Ellis and Perkins recorded for Coxsone Dodd

Coxsone Dodd

Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, CD was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond....
at Studio One, initially in the R&B style, having a massive hit with "Muriel" (from Dodd's first commercially-oriented recording session at Federal studios),, a song Ellis had written whilst working as a labourer on a building site, and recording follow-ups with "My Heaven". "Lullabye Angel", "I Know It All", "I'm Never Gonna Cry", and "Yours". The duo also recorded a few tracks for Vincent Chin

Vincent "Randy" Chin

Vincent "Randy" Chin was a Jamaican record producer and label owner who ran the Randy's shop, recording studio, and record label, later moving to New York City and setting up the VP Records empire, now the world's largest independent label and distributor of Caribbean music in the world....
's Randy's label, but came to an end when after winning a major talent contest, Perkins moved to the United States

United States

The United States of America is a Federal government constitutional republic comprising U.S. state and a federal district. The country is situated mostly in central North America, where its Contiguous United States and Washington, D.C., the Capital districts and territories, lie between the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Oceans, Borders of the U...
. Ellis remained in Kingston, working as a printer, and after losing his job, he restarted his music career, initially forming a new duo with John Holt

John Holt (singer)

John Holt is a reggae singer and songwriter....
. When Holt joined The Paragons

The Paragons

The Paragons were an influential rocksteady band from Kingston, Jamaica, Jamaica, active in the 1960s....
, Ellis formed a new group, The Flames. Ellis continued to work for Dodd and also recorded for his arch-rival, Duke Reid

Duke Reid

Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and record label owner.He ran one of the most popular Reggae sound system of the 1950s called Duke Reid's the Trojan after the British-made trucks used to transport the equipment....
on his Treasure Isle label

Record label

In the music industry, a record label can be a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of recorded sound and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the Record producer, manufacturing, distribution , marketing and promotion, and enforcement of copyright protec...
. By the mid 1960s, ska

Ska

Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and Calypso music with United States jazz and rhythm and blues....
was moving on and the beat was slowing down to rocksteady

Rocksteady

Rude boy

Rude boy, rudeboy, rudie, rudi or rudy were common terms for juvenile delinquents and criminals in 1960s Jamaica, and have since been used in other contexts....
subculture

Subculture

In sociology, anthropology and cultural studies, a subculture is a group of people with a culture which differentiates them from the larger culture to which they belong....
in Jamaican dancehall

Dancehall

Dancehall is a type of Jamaican popular music which developed in the late 1970s, initially as a more sparse and less political and religious variant of reggae than the Roots reggae style that had dominated much of the 1970s....
s. Many artists made records referring to the rude boys, including Ellis, although his records were consistently anti-rudie, including "Don't Trouble People", "Dance Crasher", and "Cry Tough", in contrast to artists such as Bob Marley

Bob Marley

Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley Jamaican Order of Merit was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the ska, rocksteady and reggae bands: The Wailers and Bob Marley & the Wailers ....
, whom Ellis blamed for glorifiying the rudies. Recording with The Flames (the varying line-up of which included his brother Leslie Ellis, David "Baby G" Gordon and Winston Jarrett), Ellis scored big with the hits "Girl I've Got a Date", "Cry Tough" and "Rock Steady", which was the first song to refer to the name of the newer genre. As rocksteady dominated the Jamaican airwaves for the next two years, Ellis continued to score hits for Treasure Isle, working with artists such as Lloyd Charmers

Lloyd Charmers

Lloyd Charmers is a ska and reggae Vocalist, Keyboard instrument player and record producer....
, Phyllis Dillon

Phyllis Dillon

Phyllis Dillon was a Jamaican ska and reggae singer who recorded for Duke Reid's lucrative Treasure Isle record label in the late 1960s and early 1970s....
and The Heptones

The Heptones

The Heptones were a Jamaican rocksteady and reggae human voice Trio most active in the 1960s and early 1970s....
. His Mr. Soul of Jamaica album is regarded as one of the definitive rocksteady albums.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ellis recorded for some of Jamaica's top producers, having two huge hits with Lloyd Daley

Lloyd Daley

Lloyd Daley also known as Matador is a Jamaican electronic technician, Reggae sound system pioneer and reggae record producer.Lloyd Daley entered the music business very young, as an electronic technician, with his "Lloyds Radio & Television service" shop in Kingston....
in "Deliver Us" and "Back to Africa", and recording for Bunny Lee

Bunny Lee

Edward O'Sullivan Lee, better known as Bunny "Striker" Lee was a prominent, prolific and successful Jamaican record producer in the 1960s and 1970s....
, Keith Hudson

Keith Hudson

Keith Hudson aka the "Dark Prince of Reggae" , was a Jamaican reggae artist and record producer.He is known for his influence on the Dub music movement....
, and Herman Chin Loy

Herman Chin Loy

Herman Chin Loy is a Jamaican record producer, best known for his productions from the late 1960s and early 1970s of artists such as Augustus Pablo, Dennis Brown, Alton Ellis and Bruce Ruffin, and for the Aquarius and Scorpio labels that he ran....
. Ellis toured the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom , the UK or Britain,is a sovereign state located off the northwestern coast of continental Europe....
in the 1967 with Ken Boothe

Ken Boothe

Ken Boothe is a Jamaican musician....
and Studio One session band the Soul Vendors, and on his return to Jamaica he worked with Dodd, recording the tracks that would be released as his debut album Alton Ellis Sings Rock & Soul. He also began to produce his own records, including "My Time Is The Right Time" and "The Message".

Ellis regularly returned to England, working with several London-based producers, and after spending a few years in Canada

Canada

Canada is a country occupying most of northern North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean....
, from 1972 he based himself permanently in the UK. Ellis continued to record and perform regularly, recording in the early 1980s for emerging producers including Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Sugar Minott

Sugar Minott

Sugar Minott is a Jamaican reggae singing, record producer and Sound system operator....
, and King Jammy

King Jammy

Lloyd James, , better known as Prince Jammy or King Jammy, is a Dub music mixer and record producer.After earning money from building amplifiers and repairing electrical equipment from his mother's house in Waterhouse in the late 1960s, he started his own Sound system ....
. He also opened up the All-Tone record shop in South London

South London

South London is the southern part of London, England. The area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes....
, and started a record label of the same name.

The "Mad Mad" riddim

Riddim

A riddim is an instrumental version of a song, which applies to Music of Jamaica or other forms of List of Caribbean music genres. Riddims usually consist of a drum pattern and a prominent bassline....
, first recorded

Sound recording and reproduction

Sound recording and reproduction is the electrical or mechanics inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects....
by Ellis in 1967 would later be recycled in more than one hundred other song

Song

A song is a musical musical composition which contains vocal parts that are performed, 'sung,' and feature words , commonly accompanied by musical instruments ....
s. The instantly recognizable three-note descending horn line was reinterpreted by Henry "Junjo" Lawes and eventually became known widely as the "Diseases" reggae

Reggae

Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s.While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Music of Jamaica, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady....
riddim. "Diseases" is notably utilized in Yellowman

Yellowman

Yellowman is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, widely known as King Yellowman. He was popular in Jamaica in the 1980s, coming to prominence with a series of singles that established his reputation....
's hit

Hit record

A Hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a Single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay , Nightclub, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings....
song ""Zungguzungguguzungguzeng", which has in turn has been sampled

Sampling (music)

In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an musical instrument or a different sound recording of a song....
and reinterpreted by a long list of popular hip hop

Hip hop

Hip hop is a cultural movement built largely around the music genre of hip hop music, which developed in New York City during the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latino Americans....
artists including KRS-One

KRS-One

The Notorious B.I.G.

Christopher George Latore Wallace , popularly known by Biggie Smalls , and his primary stage name, The Notorious B.I.G., was an American rapper....
, Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Amaru Shakur , also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American Rapping. In addition to his status as a top-selling recording artist, Shakur was a promising actor and a social activist....
and Blackstar

BlackStar

Blackstar was an American animated television series, a science fantasy story sometimes reported as being inspired by Thundarr the Barbarian....
. This constant reinterpretation and referencing has made Ellis a major but little-known influence in the trajectory of dancehall, reggae and hip hop.

Ellis continued to be active on the reggae scene until his health began to deteriorate. His latest works include performing all over Europe with a French backing-band called ASPO (About Some Precioux Oldies) at the beginning of the 21st century. Recorded in Bordeaux, France, Live with Aspo: Workin' on a Groovy Thing is the only live album Alton Ellis ever published (2001).

In 2004, Ellis was awarded the Order of Distinction

Order of distinction

The Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament ? The National Honours and Awards Act....
by the Jamaican government in recognition of his achievements.

In December 2007, he was admitted to hospital in London

London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
for treatment of cancer of the lymph

Lymphatic system

The lymphatic system in vertebrates is a network of conduits that carry a clear fluid called lymph. It also includes the lymphoid tissue through which the lymph travels....
glands, but he returned to live performance after receiving chemotherapy

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy, in its most general sense, refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells, specifically those of micro-organisms or cancer....
.

Ellis died on 10 October 2008 at Hammersmith Hospital

Hammersmith Hospital

Hammersmith Hospital is a major teaching hospital in West London. It is associated with the Imperial College medical faculty and is part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham....
, West London

West London

West London is the area of Greater London to the west of Central London. Although it is only ambiguously defined, it is one of the most economically active areas of London outside of the centre, containing significant amounts of office space along with London Heathrow Airport and many of its associated businesses....
, of cancer. His death prompted a statement from Jamaica's Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who said "even as we mourn the great Alton Ellis, we must give thanks for his monumental contribution to the development of Jamaica's popular music". A funeral service and celebration of his life was held on the 3rd of November, attended by family, fans, music industry personnel amd government ministers, with tribute performances from stars including Winston 'Fix It' Francis, Tinga Stewart

Tinga Stewart

Tinga Stewart is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Jamaica_Independence_Festival#Popular Song Competition three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter....
, George Nooks

George Nooks

George Nooks, aka Prince Mohamed, Prince Mohammed, or George Knooks is a reggae singer who initially found fame as a deejay....
, Tony Gregory, Ken Boothe

Ken Boothe

Ken Boothe is a Jamaican musician....
, Judy Mowatt

Judy Mowatt

Judy Mowatt is a Jamaican singer.She joined a singing trio called The Gaylettes in 1967. When the group split she continued as a solo act. She and Rita Marley first sang together when Marcia Griffiths needed some harmony vocals on a song she was recording at Studio One with Bob Andy......
and Carlene Davis.

He was the older brother of the late Hortense Ellis

Hortense Ellis

Hortense Ellis was a reggae musician, and the younger sibling of fellow artist, Alton Ellis.Ellis' career began with performances on the Vere Johns' Opportunity Hour Talent Show, where she was a regular finalist....
, and the father of more than twenty children including Noel Ellis and Christopher Ellis, who are both reggae singers.

Albums

Mr Soul of Jamaica (1967) Treasure Isle
Sings Rock and Soul (1967) Studio One
The Best Of (1969) Coxsone
Sunday Coming (1970) Coxsone
Greatest Hits (1973) Count Shelly also released as Cry Tough
Cry Tough (Alton Ellis album)

Cry Tough is a 1993 collection of Alton Ellis recordings from the rocksteady era of 1966-1968. It was released in 1993 by Heartbeat Records, and features the pick of Ellis' work for Duke Reid, plus some tracks produced by Sonia Pottinger....
Still in Love (1977) Horse
Trojan Records

Trojan Records is a United Kingdom record label specialising in ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub music. The label operates under the Sanctuary Records Group....
A Love to Share (1979) Third World
Showcase (1984) Studio One
Slummin (198?) Abraham
Mr Ska Bean'a (1981) Cha Cha (Alton Ellis & The Heptones)
A New Day (1983) Body Music
Daydreaming (1983) Silver Camel
25th Silver Jubilee (1984) Sky Note
Continuation (1985) All Tone
Jubilee Volume 2 (1985) Sky Note
Man From Studio One (1994) All-tone
Change My Mind (2000) Orchard
More Alton Ellis (2001) T.P.
Live with Aspo: Workin' on a Groovy Thing (2001) Belleville International / Patate Records

With Hortense Ellis:

Alton & Hortense Ellis at Studio 1 (1990) Heartbeat
Heartbeat Records

Heartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington , Massachusetts. The label specializes in Music of Jamaica. Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of Linton Kwesi Johnson's Dread Beat an' Blood ....

Compilations:

All My Tears (1965-68) (2006) Brook
Alton Ellis Sings, Heptones Harmonise Jet Star
Jet Star

Jet Star is a United Kingdom record distribution company that grew out of Pama Records in 1978. It is one of the largest distributors of reggae music, the company themselves claiming the title "the world's largest reggae distributors"....
(Alton Ellis & The Heptones
The Heptones

The Heptones were a Jamaican rocksteady and reggae human voice Trio most active in the 1960s and early 1970s....
- 1978-80)
Arise Black Man (1968-78) Moll Selekta
Be True to Yourself (196X-7X) (2004) Trojan
Get Ready for Rock Reggae Steady (1967-74) (1999) Jamaican Gold
Many Moods of Alton Ellis (1978-80) (1980) Tele-Tech
My Time Is the Right Time (1966-71) (2000) Westside
Reggae Valley of Decision (197X) (1996) House of Reggae
Soul Groover (1997) Trojan
Trojan Records

Trojan Records is a United Kingdom record label specialising in ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub music. The label operates under the Sanctuary Records Group....
Reggae Max (1997) Jet Star
The Duke Reid Collection (1999) Rhino
Soul of Jamaica (2001) Bianco
It Hurts Me So (2006) Essential Gold
Reggae Chronicles (2006) Hallmark
Muriel (2007) All Tone

External links

at Roots Archives
"" - interview with Alton Ellis and Horace Andy
Horace Andy

Horace Andy , is a roots reggae songwriter and singer, known for his distinctive vocals and hit songs such as "Government Land", "You Are My Angel", "Skylarking" and a cover version of "Ain't No Sunshine"....
by Lol Bell-Brown and Mark Ottignon