Alton Ellis
"I was born to sing, discovered that early at Boys' Town. Two left foot cyan play football, an' if yuh 'fraid of the ball yuh cyan play cricket. Then I started to discover something in myself - I was musically inclined."
You Make Me So Very Happy
"I was at the airport one Sunday night when I hear it; swell up mi head. David Clayton Thomas (of Blood, Sweat and Tears) the way him sing it do something to mi. Mi have it inna mi head fi three weeks until mi record it."
Leaving Jamaica
"I got lost to a generation of youth in Jamaica 'cause I left here with a venom, I was more than bitter. I leave Jamaica with a vengeance, bus' up mi passport an' everything. I was suffering an' tired a people oppressing mi."
Trivia
Muriel, Alton Ellis' first hit song (done with Eddie Perkins) was recorded in 1959. It was produced by Clement Dodd, arranged by saxophonist Roland Alphonso and recorded at Ken Khouri's Federal studio.
Ellis worked as a printer's assistant at Stephenson's Printery.
Dancecrasher and Cry Tough dealt with 'rudeboy' violence in Kingston dances. Ellis said it was inspired by a west Kingston 'heavy' named 'Buzzbee' Carlton.
Ellis toured England in 1967 with Ken Boothe and the Soul Vendors band.
Lord Deliver Us, one of his big hits, was inspired by a Mortimo Planno (Rastafarian elder) speech.
Ellis' musical tastes were eclectic, based on songs he covered. He did songs by soul singers Chuck Jackson (Willow Tree), Lou Rawls (Ain't That Loving You) and Tyrone Davis (Can I Change My Mind), and rock groups The Guess Who (These Eyes) and Blood, Sweat and Tears (You Make Me So Very Happy).
Bass player Jackie Jackson made his recording debut on Girl I've Got a Date.
1938-2008
Ken Boothe's top 10
Ken Boothe
Muriel
I'm Still in Love
Willow Tree
Cry Tough
Sunday Coming
I've Got So Much Love
Dancecrasher
Baby I Love You
I'm Just a Guy
Rocksteady
Bunny Goodison's top 10
Bunny Goodison
Muriel
Let 'em Try
Dancecrasher
Girl I've Got a Date
I'm Just a Guy
I'm Still in Love
Willow Tree
Can I Change My Mind
Cry Tough
Rocksteady
Ian Boyne's top 10
Ian Boyne
Can I Change My Mind
I'm Still in Love
I'll Never Love Again
Baby I Love You
What Does It Take
So Much Love
Can't Stop Now
Tumbling Tears
Ain't That Loving You
Willow Tree
