Introduction:

Alton Nehemiah Ellis OD (1 September 1938 – 10 October 2008) was one of the most important figures in the entire history of Jamaican music. Known as the "Godfather of Rocksteady", Ellis didn't just participate in the evolution of Jamaican music — he helped create it. His signature song "Girl I've Got a Date" is considered one of the foundational tracks of the rocksteady genre, and his influence can be heard in reggae, lovers rock and dancehall right up to the present day.

 

Early Life & Career:

Born and raised in Trenchtown, Kingston, Ellis grew up in a musical family and learned piano from an early age. He attended Ebeneezer and Boys' Town schools, excelling in both music and sport. His professional journey began in 1959 when he teamed up with friend Eddie Parkins to form a duo, recording their first track "Muriel" for the legendary Studio One under producer Coxsone Dodd. The song was an immediate chart-topper in Jamaica. When Parkins left for the United States, Ellis embarked on a solo career that would redefine Jamaican music.

 

Alton Ellis The Best Of - Track Listings:

• 01 Chinchilla Choons Intro - (George Nooks).mp3
• 02 Breaking Up Is Hard To Do - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 03 Rock Steady - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 04 To Late To Turn Back Now - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 05 Baby I Love You ( Origtnal Recoding ) - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 06 Love On Top - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 07 Mr Shabena - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 08 Let Him Try - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 09 Joy in the Morning - Alton Ellis Ft. The Gaylads.mp3
• 10 I Am Still In Love - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 11 Whipping The Prince - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 12 Chinchilla Choons Skit - ( Ernest Wilson ).mp3
• 13 I'm Just a Guy - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 14 What Does It Take - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 15 A Fool - A Fool (Original Recording) - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 16 Never Love Again - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 17 Jamaica - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 18 Still Trying - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 19 Willow Tree - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 20 You've Made Me So Very Happy - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 21 Sitting in the Park - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 22 The Winner - Alton Ellis.mp3
• 23 Bonus Track - Whiter Shade Of Pale ( Original Recording )The Best Of  - Alton Ellis.mp3

 

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The Birth of Rocksteady:

By the mid-1960s, the frantic pace of ska was slowing, and Alton Ellis was at the very forefront of the shift. Working with Duke Reid at Treasure Isle studio, he formed the vocal group Alton Ellis & The Flames — which included his brother Leslie — and began releasing a string of anti-rudie classics including "Dance Crasher", "Don't Trouble People" and "Cry Tough". His 1966 single "Get Ready — Rock Steady" is widely credited as one of the first rocksteady recordings, and "Girl I've Got a Date" became his signature hit and a blueprint for the genre. The bass line from that track was later echoed in the international hit "The Liquidator" and The Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There".Ellis recorded for both Studio One and Treasure Isle during the peak of rocksteady — a rare feat that speaks to the universal respect he commanded across Jamaica's rival labels.

 

Life in the UK & Lasting Legacy:

Ellis moved to the United Kingdom in 1973, where he founded the Alltone Records shop and label in Brixton, London — playing a pivotal role in cementing reggae's foothold in Britain. He mentored a young Dennis Brown, later known as the "Crown Prince of Reggae", teaching him guitar and instilling in him a love for soulful music. His version of "I'm Still In Love With You" formed the basis for Althea & Donna's UK number one "Uptown Top Ranking" in 1978, and was later sampled by Sean Paul and Sasha in 2002, reaching number 6 in the UK charts.In 2004 the Jamaican government awarded him the Order of Distinction. In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae and World Music Awards Hall of Fame. He continued recording and touring into the 2000s before passing away in London in October 2008 at the age of 70. In 2012, the main hall of the Trench Town Multi-Purpose Building was named the Alton Ellis Auditorium in his honour.

 

Key Albums & Songs:

• Muriel (1959) — debut hit with Eddie Parkins
• Girl I've Got a Date (1966) — signature song, rocksteady landmark
• Sunday Coming (1970) — soulful, spiritually aware classic
• Still In Love (1977)
• Man From Studio One (1991) — tribute to his mentor Coxsone Dodd
• Soul Of A Man (2003) — with Ernest Ranglin

 

Alton Ellis on Reggae On A Stick:      

 

Alton Ellis is one of the featured artists on our Reggae On A Stick USB — 100 of the greatest reggae albums compiled onto a single plug-and-play USB drive. Hear the Godfather of Rocksteady in full alongside 99 other legends of Jamaican music.

👉 Shop Reggae On A Stick — 100 Reggae Albums On 1 USB