The Gladiators

The Gladiators

Also known as: Prophets

The Gladiators are a Jamaican roots reggae band, most popular during the 1970s. The core was Albert Griffiths (lead guitar and vocals; born 1945, died 15 December 2020), Clinton Fearon (bass guitar and vocals) and Gallimore Sutherland (rhythm guitar and vocals). Their two most famous albums are Trenchtown Mix Up (1976) and Proverbial Reggae (1978) with songs such as "Hearsay", "Jah Works", "Dreadlocks the Time is Now". "Mix Up", "Music Makers from Jamaica", and "Soul Rebel" - a song written by The Wailers. Gladiators also cooperated with the toaster U-Roy.

History
Albert Griffiths, singer and guitar player, was the founder of the reggae group The Gladiators. After some success with the singles "You Are The Girl" (a b-side to The Ethiopians' hit record "Train to Skaville") in 1967, he recruited his childhood friends David Webber and Errol Grandison in 1968 to form the original Gladiators vocal group. The group's name was allegedly suggested by a fellow bus passenger during the time of their first recordings. The group's first major success was with the single "Hello Carol" in 1969, for producer Coxsone Dodd, which topped the Jamaican music charts. Shortly afterwards, in 1969, Webber was stricken with illness and was replaced by Clinton Fearon, one of Griffiths' proteges. Similarly Grandison left the group in 1973 for family commitments and was replaced by Gallimore Sutherland. During the early 1970s the Gladiators cut numerous records for various producers such as, Lloyd Daley and Lee Perry, but it was their recordings for Dodd at Studio One that became the biggest hits. During this time at Studio One the Gladiators' hits included "Bongo Red", "Jah Jah Go Before Us", "Mr. Baldwin", and "Roots Natty". The success of these recordings garnered the attention of Britain-based Virgin Records, who gave the group their first major recording contract in 1976. Their debut album released on Virgin was the Tony Robinson produced Trenchtown Mix Up (1976), which included revisions of many of their early hits. They followed this effort with Proverbial Reggae (1978). At the time Gladiators was a band with Albert Griffiths on lead guitar and vocals, Clinton Fearon on bass guitar and vocals, Gallimore Sutherland on rhythm guitar and vocals, Sly Dunbar on drums, Lloyd Parks on bass, Uziah "Sticky" Thompson on percussion, Ansel Collins on keyboards and Earl 'Wire' Lindo on synthesizer. Errol Thompson and Joe Gibbs were their engineer and mixer, and Robinson the record producer. Dodd and Studio One also released Studio One Presenting the Gladiators, (1978) a compilation of some early Gladiators' records released 1968 - 1974. The Gladiators' next two albums on Virgin were Naturality (1978) and Sweet So Till (1979). The group's next album Gladiators was recorded at Coach House Studios in the UK with local producer Eddy Grant. It was the first Gladiators' album on which no member of the group played any of the instruments, as a few members of the band Aswad were brought in. The album did worse than their previous work, and they were subsequently dropped from their contract with Virgin. Virgin subsequently released two compilation albums Vital Selection in 1981 and Dreadlocks The Time Is Now in 1983. At the time, roots reggae was declining. A new type of reggae - based on drum machine, sampler, synthesizers and organ - occurred in the 1980s; ragga. One of the reasons for ragga's swift propagation is that it is generally easier, and less expensive to produce, than reggae performed on traditional musical instruments. Nevertheless, the Gladiators released eleven studio albums in the 1980s. They soon found a home at US-based Nighthawk Records and released Symbol of Reality in late 1982 followed by Serious Thing in 1984. One year later the Gladiators changed labels again, this time moving to Heartbeat Records, where they released albums throughout the latter half of the decade. In 1987 Fearon left the group after eighteen years, but Griffiths and Sutherland have continued to release albums on various labels since then. With the advent of dancehall in the 1990s, the Gladiators only released three studio albums during that decade. Eventually, the Gladiators, Mighty Diamonds, Bunny Wailer, Heptones and Burning Spear had a renaissance. The dancehall artists had to change their profile and baptised their new showmanship as conscious dancehall. In 2005, the Gladiators released Fathers and Sons which has been regarded as Albert Griffiths' farewell after ill health forced him to retire from touring, with his sons, Alan and Anthony, joining the group. In June 2013, the group announced that their next album would be a collaboration with deejay Droop Lion, nephew of original Gladiators' member David Webber, performing new versions of some of the group's most popular tracks.

Albums (18)

Credits & Appearances (56)

Production
Arranger 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Sweet So Till The Gladiators Sweet So Till CDFL 30 CD Virgin 1979
Producer 5
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Dreadlocks The Time Is Now The Gladiators Dreadlocks The Time Is Now CDFL 9001 CD Virgin 1976-79
Sweet So Till The Gladiators Sweet So Till CDFL 30 CD Virgin 1979
Reggae To Bone The Gladiators Reggae To Bone LP 300 LP Jam Rock 1982 1982
Symbol Of Reality The Gladiators Symbol Of Reality NH 305 LP Nighthawk 1982 1982
Back To Roots The Gladiators Back To Roots SR 001 LP Stunt Sounds 1982 1982
Musicians
Backing Band 17
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Rub-A-Dub Bim Sherman Rub-A-Dub EFALP 39904 LP Century 1975-79 2000
King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub Prophets King Tubby's Prophecies Of Dub VJ 8124 LP Prestige (JA) 1976 1976
Beware Yabby You Beware GMLP 4 LP Grove Music 1978 1978
Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet Yabby You Meets Michael Prophet In Dub LP Prophet 1979-81
Yabby You Presents King Tubby's Boom Sounds Vol 4 King Tubby & Yabby You Yabby You Presents King Tubby's Boom Sounds Vol 4 LP Prophet 1979-83
Crucial Cuts Vol 2 Bim Sherman Crucial Cuts Vol 2 CENTURY 300 CD Century 1979-84
Bongo Red The Gladiators Bongo Red CDHB 162 CD Heartbeat 197X 1998
Tony Tuff Tony Tuff Tony Tuff ILPS 9619 LP Grove Music 1980 1980
Tribute To John Lennon Ranking Joe Tribute To John Lennon TRDLP 12181 LP Tad's 1981 1981
Gladiators By Bus The Gladiators Gladiators By Bus JRLP 531 LP Jam Rock 1981 1982
Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo LP Absissa 1982 1982
Babylon Street The Gladiators Babylon Street JR 001 LP Jam Rock 1982 1982
Showdown Vol 3 Don Carlos & Gold & The Gladiators Showdown Vol 3 JJ 164 LP Hitbound 1984 1984
Fleeing From The City Yabby You Fleeing From The City SH 43026 CD Shanachie 1985 1991
Country Living Albert Griffiths & The Gladiators Country Living REU 1003 LP Rounder Europa 1985 1985
Dread Prophecy Ethiopian & Gladiators Dread Prophecy NHM 7492 LP Nighthawk 1986 1986
Ghetto Dub Bim Sherman Ghetto Dub DC 4114 CD Century 1988 1988
Backing Vocals 14
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Presenting The Gladiators The Gladiators Presenting The Gladiators SOL 1113 LP Studio 1 1968-76 1978
Trenchtown Mix Up The Gladiators Trenchtown Mix Up V 2062 LP Virgin 1976 1976
Rasta Ambassador U Roy Rasta Ambassador V 2092 LP Virgin 1977 1977
Jah Son Of Africa U Roy Jah Son Of Africa FL 1023 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Proverbial Reggae The Gladiators Proverbial Reggae FL 1002 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Naturality The Gladiators Naturality none LP TR Groovemaster 1979 1979
Sweet So Till The Gladiators Sweet So Till CDFL 30 CD Virgin 1979
Jah Jah Way Yabby U Jah Jah Way ILPS 9615 LP Island 1980 1980
Gladiators The Gladiators Gladiators V 2161 LP Virgin 1980 1980
Symbol Of Reality The Gladiators Symbol Of Reality NH 305 LP Nighthawk 1982 1982
Reggae To Bone The Gladiators Reggae To Bone LP 300 LP Jam Rock 1982 1982
Try  A Little Happiness K.C. White Try A Little Happiness PR-MVC 014 LP Puff 1982 1982
Serious  Thing The Gladiators Serious Thing NH 308 LP Nighthawk 1984 1984
Try A Little Happiness K.C. White Try A Little Happiness ZZLP 026 LP Zola & Zola 198X
Vocals 16
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Presenting The Gladiators The Gladiators Presenting The Gladiators SOL 1113 LP Studio 1 1968-76 1978
Studio One Singles The Gladiators Studio One Singles CDHB 336 CD Heartbeat 1969-78 2007
Trenchtown Mix Up The Gladiators Trenchtown Mix Up V 2062 LP Virgin 1976 1976
Proverbial Reggae The Gladiators Proverbial Reggae FL 1002 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Sweet So Till The Gladiators Sweet So Till CDFL 30 CD Virgin 1979
Naturality The Gladiators Naturality none LP TR Groovemaster 1979 1979
Vital Selection The Gladiators Vital Selection VX 1003 LP Virgin 197X 1981
Bongo Red The Gladiators Bongo Red CDHB 162 CD Heartbeat 197X 1998
Gladiators The Gladiators Gladiators V 2161 LP Virgin 1980 1980
Gladiators By Bus The Gladiators Gladiators By Bus JRLP 531 LP Jam Rock 1981 1982
Babylon Street The Gladiators Babylon Street JR 001 LP Jam Rock 1982 1982
Reggae To Bone The Gladiators Reggae To Bone LP 300 LP Jam Rock 1982 1982
Symbol Of Reality The Gladiators Symbol Of Reality NH 305 LP Nighthawk 1982 1982
1983 US Tour EP The Gladiators 1983 US Tour EP NH 1003 LP Nighthawk 1983 1983
Showdown Vol 3 Don Carlos & Gold & The Gladiators Showdown Vol 3 JJ 164 LP Hitbound 1984 1984
Serious  Thing The Gladiators Serious Thing NH 308 LP Nighthawk 1984 1984

Also Appears On (51)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
7 Inch Auction Various Artists 7 Inch Auction SOLP 010 LP Studio 1 2004
Dubwise & Otherwise Vol 2 Various Artists Dubwise & Otherwise Vol 2 BFCDS 905 CD Blood And Fire 2002
Studio One Groups Various Artists Studio One Groups SJRCD 151 CD Soul Jazz 2006
Studio One Roots 2 Various Artists Studio One Roots 2 SJRCD 114 CD Soul Jazz 2005
Studio One Roots Vol 3 Various Artists Studio One Roots Vol 3 SJRCD 168 CD Soul Jazz 2007
The Best Of Studio One Collection Various Artists The Best Of Studio One Collection CDHB 326 CD Heartbeat 2006
Randy's 50th Anniversary Various Artists Randy's 50th Anniversary VP 4100 CD 17 North Parade 1960-76 2008
Ba Ba Boom Duke Reid Various Artists Ba Ba Boom Duke Reid CDTRL 265 CD Trojan 1967-72 1994
Greatest Jamaican Beat Various Artists Greatest Jamaican Beat DBCDD 033 CD Doctor Bird 1968 2019
Party Time In Jamaica Various Artists Party Time In Jamaica SOL 9009 LP Studio 1 1968
Soul Of Jamaica & Here Comes The Duke Various Artists Soul Of Jamaica & Here Comes The Duke DBCD 024 CD Doctor Bird 1968 2018
Soul Power '68 Various Artists Soul Power '68 DBCDD 074 CD Doctor Bird 1968 2021
From Matador's Arena Vol 1 Various Artists From Matador's Arena Vol 1 JMC 200.222 CD Jamaican Gold 1968-69 1994
Moonwalk Various Artists Moonwalk NEMCD 472 CD Sequel 1968-70 2000
Black Man's Pride Various Artists Black Man's Pride SJRCD 398 CD Soul Jazz 1968-79 2017
Boss Reggae Various Artists Boss Reggae SECO 17 LP Pama 1969 1969
Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay At Its Best Various Artists Greater Jamaica Moonwalk Reggae & Reggay At Its Best DBCDD 030 CD Doctor Bird 1969-70 2019
Rocksteady Got Soul Various Artists Rocksteady Got Soul SJRCD 464 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2021
Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Mod Reggae Box Set TJETD 020 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Trojan Skinhead Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Skinhead Reggae Box Set TJETD 003 CD Trojan 196X 2002
Black Man's Pride 2 Various Artists Black Man's Pride 2 SJRCD 414 CD Soul Jazz 196X-7X 2018
Black Man's Pride 3 Various Artists Black Man's Pride 3 SJRCD 421 CD Soul Jazz 196X-7X 2019
Studio One Ironsides Various Artists Studio One Ironsides SJRCD 260 CD Soul Jazz 196x-7X 2013
Trojan Rocksteady Rarities Boxset Various Artists Trojan Rocksteady Rarities Boxset TJETD299 CD Trojan 196X-7X 2005
From Matador's Arena Vol 3 Various Artists From Matador's Arena Vol 3 JMC 200.224 CD Jamaican Gold 1971-79 1994
17 North Parade Various Artists 17 North Parade PSCD 17 CD Pressure Sounds 1972-75 1997
Jesus Dread Yabby You & Various Artists Jesus Dread BAFCD 021 CD Blood And Fire 1972-77 1997
Black Arkives Various Artists Black Arkives JLCD 5005 CD Justice League 1973-75 1996
D.I.P Presents The Upsetter Various Artists D.I.P Presents The Upsetter DLP 5026 LP DIP 1975 1975
Front Line II Various Artists Front Line II FLB 3001 LP Virgin 1978 1978
Front Line III Various Artists Front Line III FLB 3002 LP Virgin 1979 1979
The Grove Reggae Collection Various Artists The Grove Reggae Collection GMLP 2599 LP Grove Music 1979 1979
A History Of Jamaican Vocal Harmony Various Artists A History Of Jamaican Vocal Harmony MRMCD 11 CD Munich 197X 1996
By The Rivers Of Babylon Various Artists By The Rivers Of Babylon SH 45031 CD Shanachie 197X 1997
Fire Over Babylon Various Artists Fire Over Babylon SJRCD 465 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2021
Natty Rebel Roots Various Artists Natty Rebel Roots CDFL 9013 CD Virgin 197X 2004
Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony Various Artists Ranking Miss P Presents Sweet Harmony TJDDD 101 CD Trojan 197X 2003
Socking Good Time Various Artists Socking Good Time CDTRL 421 CD Trojan 197X 1999
Studio One Dub Vol 2 Various Artists Studio One Dub Vol 2 SJRCD 166 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2007
Studio One Showcase Various Artists Studio One Showcase SJRCD 326 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2016
The Front Line Box Set Various Artists The Front Line Box Set 8106782 CD Virgin 197X 2004
This Is Reggae vol 3 Various Artists This Is Reggae vol 3 PMP 2008 LP Pama 197X 1971
Dread Prophecy Yabby You Dread Prophecy CD 45072 CD Shanachie 197X-8X 2015
Roots With Quality Various Artists Roots With Quality CD Tabou 1 197X-8X
Studio One Supreme Various Artists Studio One Supreme SJRCD 396 CD Soul Jazz 197X-8X 2017
Calling Rastafari Various Artists Calling Rastafari NH 304 LP Nighthawk 1982 1982
Best Of Studio 1 Various Artists Best Of Studio 1 HB 07 LP Heartbeat 1983 1983
Best Of Studio 1 Various Artists Best Of Studio 1 CDHB 301 CD Heartbeat 1983 2006
Heartbeat Reggae Various Artists Heartbeat Reggae HB 50 LP Heartbeat 198X
When The Dances Were Changing Various Artists When The Dances Were Changing PSCD 22 CD Pressure Sounds 198X 1998
For A Few Dollars More Various Artists For A Few Dollars More CDTRL 414 CD Trojan 1998 1998
26 albums
56 credits
23 labels
1976 - 2007