Fare Thee Well Alton Ellis

Saturday the tenth of October 2008, saw the passing of one of rock steady reggae’s founding Father’s Alton Ellis. At a mere 68yrs old he shall be sadly missed by all those in the music industry. We at D.G.T would like to pass on our most sincere condolences to the family of one of Jamaica’s most well known and respected artists.


 Alton Ellis like so many other talented singers, got his start and gained valuable experience under the tutelage of producer and Studio One label founder, Clement S. Dodd. Alton's singing career began in 1959, and he maintained headliner status continually throughout his career. Ellis started his career in 1959 as part of the duo Alton & Eddie with Eddie Perkins. Ellis and Perkins recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One before Perkins moved to the United States. Duke Reid took Ellis to his Treasure Isle label in 1962. By the mid 1960s, ska was moving on and the beat was slowing down and becoming associated with the rude boy subculture in Jamaican dancehalls. And 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, Phyllis Dillon and The Heptones.

 As the soundscape changed in the 60’s to the slow and simple Rocksteady, Alton took the art to form and made it his own. By the time the groove now known as Rocksteady became radio ready, Alton scored his first hit song with the single “Girl I’ve Got A Date”, now considered a classic. Backed by the haunting harmony group “The flames”, Ellis continued churning out hits such as “Cry Tough” and the dance warmer “Ready, Rocksteady”. A short lived sub-genre of Reggae music, Rocksteady soon became synonymous with Alton Ellis as he carried the new flavor of music through Europe and the UK in the late 60’s and early 70’s adding fuel to the flame that sparked the UK reggae scene. During this period he released the critically acclaimed debut album “Mr. Soul of Jamaica” cut on the Duke Reid treasure Isle imprint.

 Apart from his smooth, soulful, infectious vocal styling, and his slick stage presence, a signature feature of Ellis's musical career was his ability to put his stamp on the songs of other singers in such a way that they have now become popular reggae anthems.

The most profound example of this is his treatment of Let Him Try, originally recorded by Rosco Gordon. Throughout the mid 80’s and into the early 90’s Alton toured periodically and made guest appearances at Reggae shows in Europe, UK and the US and premiered the vintage soundscape of reggae in Scandinavia. However, it was the resurgence of the Ska/Rocksteady Live showcase initiated by the Bisasor Brothers with their historic “Rocksteady Roll Call”, that pushed Alton Ellis to the forefront of the Jamaican music scene once again. He remained an active member of the touring music scene with bookings as far as Japan, Sweden and Germany.In 2000 he released a fresh full length album entitled “Change My Mind” for Orchard Records, and followed up in 2001 with “More Alton Ellis” on the T.P imprint. His historic live album with Euro Ska band Aspo in 2006 has been regarded as one of his most memorable performances to date.

In 2007, after a rigid tour schedule and troubled by intermittent health issues, Alton Ellis took a sabbatical from his busy routine. In December of that same year, it was made public that he suffered from a rare cancer, and was admitted for chemotherapy treatment in a London Hospital. He bounced back for the summer show season in 2008 and in August this year collapsed at a live show, and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.

Saturday October 10th 2008, Alton Ellis slipped into a coma, and despite the efforts of Doctors, and prayers from around the world, he passed away peacefully at age 68, leaving behind a legacy of music and a wealth of cultural history. He is survived by thirteen children. May the trumpets echo a resounding chorus as we say Fare Thee Well to The “Godfather Of Rock Steady”. Take care peeps, I’ll be back to finish the gospel journey next month. Until then be good to one another and of course good to yourself ,One Love. Ms.P

Editor's note: Ms. P continues to bring to you the readers a vast culture in the art of music through her experiences and travels throughout the world. A respected journalist and producer, Ms. P serves all man and womankind with her soulful and selfless fortitude and her tireless dedication to helping this planet and her people to heal one note at a time. We pause and remember Alton Ellis and we thank our friend, my sister, Ms P. bjm/dgt