Culture

Reggae Pioneer Alton Ellis Dies

by Jon Azpiri | October 14, 2008 at 09:09 am

367 views | 4 Recommendations | 6 comments

Reggae pioneer Alton Ellis, known as the Godfather of Rocksteady, has died in London, England after a struggle with cancer. Ellis' health had been waning since he collapsed after a club performance in London in August. He was 70.

Ellis had a career that spanned more than six decades. During that time, he helped popularize rocksteady, a laid-back genre that emphasizes vocal harmonies and heavy bass. Unlike other Jamaican musicians of his era, Ellis never had any major international hits, but his music was wildly popular in his native country, influencing a generation of Jamaican musicians like Dennis Brown, Sugar Minott, and Freddie McGregor.

His music was re-introduced to a new generation when dancehall star Sean Paul covered Ellis' hit "I'm Still in Love With You". Sean Paul's version of the song spent 25 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 pop charts in 2004.

Ellis was part of a musical family. His sister, Hortense Ellis, was a successful singer in her own right and his sons Noel and Christopher--two of Ellis's more than 20 children--are also reggae performers.

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LotusFlower

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:08 on October 14th, 2008

Jon Azpiri, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Alton Ellis was a true pioneer of reggae music and was awarded the Jamaican Order of Distinction in 1994.

He never had the success overseas that other stars like Jimmy Cliff and Ken Booth had but he influenced so many other singers.

His song 'Girl I've Got A Date' has been called by many (and by Alton) the first ever Rocksteady track.

Alton Ellis was a major influence on the development of reggae and he will always be with the world through his music, Dancecrasher, Cry Tough, Muriel, Ain't That Lovin You and a host more.

The Jamaican Government are considering giving Alton a state funeral.

siobhanart

at 09:11 on October 19th, 2008

These were taken a couple of months ago at the Jazz Cafe, London. He had to sit and rest a few times but he rocked the place.

siobhanart has contributed a photo to this story.

Pipskin

at 14:39 on October 14th, 2008

This was a beautiful concert at the Cabaret Sauvage in Paris in 2006. Ellis got the whole place singing 'la la ... means I love you'.

Pipskin has contributed a photo to this story.

felix1319

at 07:37 on October 17th, 2008

Rest in Peace, Rocksteady Father.

felix1319 has contributed a photo to this story.

1964tshirts

at 16:27 on October 27th, 2008

my Alton`s tribute, the great rocksteady man. ;)

1964tshirts has contributed a photo to this story.

Pomona_J

at 18:27 on October 27th, 2008

I received a message on the Thursday before Alton Ellis died indicating that he had passed. I felt saddened because I truly cherish his music. I would say he is one of my TOP favorite artist. I was also lucky enough to see him perform in Los Angeles and the show was amazing. I know my group of friends as well as the local musicians admire him and are sad to see him go, but glad to have appreciated him when we could. I knew that I wanted to pay some sort of homage to him photographically, but I could not figure out what I wanted to do. I was listening to his records on Friday night and I started photographing this 45, with his single "Breaking Up" with Tommy McCook and The Supersonics. I love this record because it's gritty and its been played a lot, also because the song means so much, especially as of recent. Finally, I was editing the photos I took the night before and I had learned that Sir Alton had officially passed so I posted it. He was an incredible performer with a lot of soul and unselfishly opened his heart up and love to let us feel it.

Pomona_J has contributed a photo to this story.