Alton Ellis

Alton Ellis
Alton Ellis performing live in 2007
Alton Ellis performing live in 2007
Background information
Birth nameAlton Nehemiah Ellis
Also known asThe Godfather of Rocksteady
Born(1938-09-01)1 September 1938
Kingston, Jamaica
Died10 October 2008(2008-10-10) (aged 70)
London, England
GenresR&B, ska, rocksteady, reggae
OccupationSinger-songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1959–2008
LabelsStudio One, Treasure Isle, Trojan, Ackee Records, Bamboo

Alton Nehemiah Ellis OD (1 September 1938 – 10 October 2008)[1][2] was a Jamaican singer-songwriter. One of the innovators of rocksteady, he was given the informal title "Godfather of Rocksteady".[3][4][5] In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.

  1. ^ "Trojan Records state that he was born in 1940". Trojanrecords.com. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Godfather of rocksteady dies at 70[permanent dead link]", Press Association, 11 October 2008 [dead link]
  3. ^ Huey, Steve, "Alton Ellis Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation.
  4. ^ "ZonaReGGae reviews "Many Moods of…Alton Ellis" | ZonaReGGae radioshow". Zonareggae.wordpress.com. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
  5. ^ "Tyne Music – Alton Ellis – Reggae". BBC. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2013.