Roots Archives Forum

R.I.P. Alton {Mr Rock Steady} Ellis

Reggae music will miss this treasured gem, now that he'll join his sister Hortense and the hallowed others in Zion.



We'll Miss You !!

Rest in peace, alton

Thank you for all the great hours when i listened to your music. thank you for your blessed soulfull voice and your nice lyrics. thank you for being the innovator of Rocksteady.without you the world of jamaican music would look very different.

i hope you feel alright now

greetings & love

pete

I now feel doubly blessed to have been at the Jazz Cafe show in August, even then his voice was from another world

RIP the greatest singer, anywhere anytime

As with all of you, I'm extremely sad to hear of the passing of Alton Ellis, because I never did get to thank him in person for most certainly saving my life. I will explain. It was 1979 and I was home on leave from the army. I was about 50 yards from home, suitcase in one hand and a large ghetto blaster in the other, blaring out a reggae tape which just happened to be playing Alton Ellis's song 'Cry Tough'. Yards from my gate I looked up and saw two of the meanest looking skinheads I'd ever seen in my life! They weren't local, I presumed that they'd been in the area recruiting for the nf, as it was the era of the 2 tone movement. They saw me and their eyes lit up. I'm not one for running away, and I couldn't anyway with my kit I was carrying. I couldn't dive into my yard because I didn't know if any of my brothers were there apart from my mum and younger sister, I was on my own, and decided to send my stereo into the larger ones face, and leg it down the road and through the back streets because they wouldn't have been expecting me to strike first. To my shock as they caught the beat from Alton's song, one turned to the other and said " Cracking song that!" to which the other agreed, and they let me pass without incident nodding their heads to the rhythm! I saved having to replace the stereo, a suitcase of clothing, probally a trip to the hospital, and just maybe, opened my eyes and others to not judge a book by it's cover. I don't want to think what would have happened if the music was something else not to their taste. I'm just sorry that I didn't get to thank the great man for such wonderful music that can soothe a savage beast (or two) R.I.P. Alton

I read about Alton's passing in his Obituary in one of the papers - I was pleased to see at least one UK paper recognised the greatness of the man. As I read through it mentioned so many tunes which are amongst my favourites from the rocksteady years. I want to thank you Alton for the joy you continue to bring me and pray that God looks after your worthy soul.

MightyZ

Lenroy, thats a good story.. Strange how life can throw different obsticles in your path and sometimes, sometimes life can throw luck your way too. Alton Thank you for everything you gave us.

Terrible loss!!!
You will allways remain, Mr. Soul of Jamaica, all over the world!
Rest in peace!