The Heptones
formed - 1965
(Kingston, Jamaica)
Leroy Sibbles - b. 1949 (Kingston, Jamaica)
Earl Morgan - b. 1945 (Kingston, Jamaica)
Barry Llewellyn - b. Dec 24, 1947 (Kingston, Jamaica)
d. Nov 23, 2011 (St Andrew, Jamaica)
Naggo Morris - replaced Leroy Sibbles in 1977
The legendary lead vocals of Leroy Sibbles and the close harmonies of Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn are what made the Heptones one of the finest, most important reggae harmony trios of the '60s and '70s. During the '60s, the Heptones played a key role in the transition between ska and rocksteady. Sibbles, Morgan and Llewellyn, all natives of Kingston, grouped up in the early '60s, naming themselves the Hep Ones. It didn't take long for people to change the pronunciation to the much cooler Heptones. They first began recording at Caltone recording a very strange adaptation of "The William Tell Overture." The next year Coxsone Dodd signed them to his Studio One. Under his guidance, they honed their harmonies and Sibbles began to improve his naturally formidable songwriting skills.
They had their first real hit in 1966 with "Fattie Fattie." Songs prior to that include "Party Time," "Only Sixteen," and "Triple Girl." One of their biggest hits was "Pretty Looks Isn't All." The Heptones remained with Dodd and Studio One through 1971. By then, Sibbles, who had also worked as a talent scout, arranger and production assistant began chafing under Dodd's control. He tired of feeling more like an oppressed laborer expected to churn out songs in the same old style rather than a vital, creative artist interested in expanding the new genre's horizons. It resulted in a bitter split between Sibbles and Dodd. Fortunately for the Heptones, they were at the height of their popularity and could choose among many producers. The decided on astute producer, Joe Gibbs. It was a good move, and they began gaining an even bigger following. They worked with other producers such as Pablo and Rupie Edwards until 1973 when they teamed up with Lee "Scratch" Perry, the one producer with the skills to update their sound without losing touch with the rootsiness that made them so popular. Their first album with Perry, Party Time, which contained new versions of many of their best Studio One tracks, gained them international popularity. In 1977, Sibbles left the trio to launch a very successful solo career. Naggo Morris replaced him, and though the group has continued on, they have yet to regain their previous popularity.
-- Courtesy (Sandra Brennan, All-Music Guide) --
 Both a wonderful vocalist and fine bassist, Leroy Sibbles initially gained fame as the lead singer for The Heptones. The trio began at Caltone, then became stars when they moved to Studio One in 1966. They were accomplished at both rocksteady and reggae, and Sibbles' wondrously soulful leads and excellent compositions were augmented by his smooth, hypnotic bass lines that were reproduced on numerous Heptones' knockoffs and versions. Unfortunately a once musically profitable relationship soured, and The Heptones left Studio One under bitter circumstances in 1971.
Sibbles has since enjoyed a successful solo career, but retains his bitterness towards Dodd and Studio One. He remained with The Heptones a couple more years, and their 1973 LP Party Time was an international reggae favorite.
-- Courtesy (Ron Wynn, All-Music Guide) --
 Llewellyn, 63, died Nov 23, 2011 in the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew after complaining of not feeling well. Pnuemonia was later cited as the cause of death.
Llewellyn, who would have celebrated his birthday on Christmas, is best remembered as the lead vocalist in the 1973 hit song Book of Rules for Island. The song is based on an American poem called A Bag of Tools by RL Sharpe.
Started in 1965 in Kingston, Jamaican rocksteady and reggae trio got their name from Morgan, who saw it written on a discarded drink bottle.
The group comprising Llewellyn, Morgan and Leroy Sibbles produced a number of hit songs throughout the 1960s and 1970s which included: Fattie Fattie (1966); I've Got a Feeling (1966); Get In the Groove (1967); Equal Rights (1968); Ain't Nobody Else (1968); Party Time (1966); Pretty Looks (1969); Our Day Will Come (1972); Mistry Babylon (1977); and, Sufferers' Time (1978).
Leroy Sibbles left the trio in 1979 and migrated to Canada where he began a solo career. Sibbles was replaced with Naggo Morris and group continued to make music producing their last album — Rainbow Valley — in 2007.
Llewellyn is survived by his wife, Monica, and several children. |
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