As rocksteady music approaches its landmark 60th anniversary in 2026, the Jamaica Observer has embarked on an ambitious project to honor the genre’s most influential figures. While often overshadowed by ska and reggae in mainstream recognition, rocksteady remains arguably the most cherished Jamaican musical form among enthusiasts.
A special editorial team comprising contract writers Howard Campbell and Claude Mills, with expert consultation from renowned broadcaster and rocksteady authority Michael Barnett, has meticulously compiled a definitive ranking of the 60 Greatest Rocksteady Personalities. The selection criteria prioritized artistic impact and historical significance to the genre’s development.
The publication has begun revealing its curated list in segments, starting with positions 45 through 31 presented in non-sequential order. This unveiling will culminate with a separate Top 20 Most Influential People in Rocksteady compilation.
Among the initial honorees is Merritone (ranked 45), both a legendary sound system operated by the Blake brothers and a record label established by the Khouri family. Merritone produced Hopeton Lewis’s ‘Take It Easy,’ widely considered the inaugural rocksteady recording. The Jamaicans (44) earned recognition for their Festival Song Contest victory with ‘Ba Ba Boom’ in 1967, while session guitarist Eric Frater (43), known as ‘Rickenbacker,’ contributed his distinctive style to timeless tracks by The Heptones and The Abyssinians.
Vocalist Eric ‘Monty’ Morris (42), though primarily celebrated for ska achievements, successfully transitioned to rocksteady with hits like ‘Say What You’re Saying.’ The Ethiopians (41) gained prominence with their socially conscious 1968 anthem ‘Everything Crash,’ which captured Jamaica’s industrial unrest. Crooner Dobby Dobson (40) touched hearts with his signature ‘Loving Pauper,’ a poignant narrative of romantic perseverance despite poverty.
The list further acknowledges The Sensations (39), an underappreciated harmony collective that launched several solo careers, and Australian audio engineer Graeme Goodall (38), whose technical expertise shaped recordings for numerous producers before he established successful UK-based labels. Texas-born Johnny Nash (37) receives recognition for bridging international audiences with rocksteady-influenced pop through hits like ‘Hold Me Tight’ and his interpretations of Bob Marley compositions.
Trumpeter Bobby Ellis (36), an Alpha Boys School alumnus, is honored for his extensive session work and arrangements, particularly on Burning Spear’s seminal ‘Marcus Garvey’ album. The Tartans (35) are celebrated for their harmonious recordings including ‘Dance All Night,’ with member Cedric Myton later achieving legendary status with The Congos. Pianist Leslie Butler (34) is recognized for his ragtime-inflected contributions to Hopeton Lewis’s recordings, while vocalist Delano Stewart (33) is noted for his work both with The Gaylads and as a solo artist.
Keyboardist Gladstone Anderson (32), who played on the foundational ‘Take It Easy,’ receives acknowledgment for his extensive session work across numerous classics. The list concludes with The Uniques (31), the influential group fronted by the legendary Slim Smith, whose members collectively made significant contributions to Jamaican music as performers and producers.