Thfcliam Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 Alton Ellis: 1944-2008 October 9, 2008 It comes with great sorrow that I spread the news that Mr. Soul of Jamaica, Alton Ellis, passed away on the morning of October 9th. The world was given this treasure in 1944 when he was born in Trenchtown, Kingston, JA. His career spanned nearly five decades and his ever-lasting impression on the future of Jamaican music came in the mid- to late-sixties as the riddim-laden grooves filled with his soulful melodies permeated the upbeat vibrations of the ska era. The summer of 66 saw the explosion of rocksteady in the Kingston scene and Alton ruled the dancehalls during this time as he cuts tunes for Studio One and Treasure Isle among others. His musical longevity persisted for years and years and he enjoyed much-deserved praise from a new generation of listeners as ska and rocksteady made a revival in the late nineties. https://jamworld876.blogspot.com/2008/10/rip-alton-ellis.html was a true ledgend. R.IP.
Birder66 Posted October 9, 2008 Posted October 9, 2008 I heard this news at 3pm but then got a call later in the day to say he was still in a coma with family at his side in a London hospital - either way, this is a great great shame.
Pete S Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 The greatest Jamaican vocalist ever, what a loss.
manus Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 A very sad bit of news and a great loss - what a singer. All the best Manus
Pete S Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 It's still unclear as to whether he is actually dead yet - his daughter says he's not.
John Elias Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) let's hope he pulls thru then Edited October 10, 2008 by dancingcollector
Guest TONY ROUNCE Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 He's been unwell for quite a while on and off, but we must all hope that rumours of his death are greatly exaggerated... The kind of singer that even a word like 'great' barely begins to do justice to...
Guest Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 Deeply gutted at this - as an ex-Brixton resident, Alton was a popular figure in the locale and I recall seeing him behind the counter at his son, Dean's record store in Brixton Market less than 2 years ago (Dean was also very ill recently - anybody know more...?) His Pama-released version of The Delfonics' La La La Means I Love You' was completely beautiful..... Gad Bless..... MRez
Marc Forrest Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 Oh no, what a big big and sad loss. One of my alltime favourite singers has passed away. So many memories. RIP.
Guest t.o.t.s.s.c Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 The greatest Jamaican vocalist ever, what a loss. well by saying that pete you have to add the words in my opinion because i believe jackie opel was far and away the best ever, all that said alton ellis was up there with the likes of slim smith and pat kelly
Pete S Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 (edited) well by saying that pete you have to add the words in my opinion because i believe jackie opel was far and away the best ever, all that said alton ellis was up there with the likes of slim smith and pat kelly That would have made sense had Jackie Opel been Jamaican... Edited October 10, 2008 by Pete S
ZapatootheTiger Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 Perhaps my favourite Alton Ellis tune... ...if not, then certainly one of them ~ LA LA MEANS I LOVE YOU is up there too
Thfcliam Posted October 10, 2008 Author Posted October 10, 2008 Just heard hes not dead. Very ill tho.
Guest t.o.t.s.s.c Posted October 10, 2008 Posted October 10, 2008 That would have made sense had Jackie Opel been Jamaican... you are quite right pete the jackie wilson of jamaica was born in barbados.
Mach Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 R.I.P. ALTON...yet another sad loss to the music industry. "i,m be waiting" a track to be treasured.
ZapatootheTiger Posted October 11, 2008 Posted October 11, 2008 Mentioned here... https://www.trojanrecords.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6362 https://z7.invisionfree.com/PAMA_FORUM/inde...?showtopic=4480 https://djgreedyg.proboards77.com/index.cgi...mp;thread=13699 Favourite AE tunes: https://www.trojanrecords.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6365 https://z7.invisionfree.com/PAMA_FORUM/inde...?showtopic=4481
Marc Forrest Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 So he`s (hope- and thankfully) still alive ???? Marc
Guest outonthefloor Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Sadly he is Marc https://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2008/10...teady-obit.html What a voice! Like others have said an all time great he will be sadly missed
Guest Beeks Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Alton Ellis: 1944-2008 October 9, 2008 It comes with great sorrow that I spread the news that Mr. Soul of Jamaica, Alton Ellis, passed away on the morning of October 9th. The world was given this treasure in 1944 when he was born in Trenchtown, Kingston, JA. His career spanned nearly five decades and his ever-lasting impression on the future of Jamaican music came in the mid- to late-sixties as the riddim-laden grooves filled with his soulful melodies permeated the upbeat vibrations of the ska era. The summer of 66 saw the explosion of rocksteady in the Kingston scene and Alton ruled the dancehalls during this time as he cuts tunes for Studio One and Treasure Isle among others. His musical longevity persisted for years and years and he enjoyed much-deserved praise from a new generation of listeners as ska and rocksteady made a revival in the late nineties. https://jamworld876.blogspot.com/2008/10/rip-alton-ellis.html was a true ledgend. R.IP. NO!! I can't believe it...had no idea until I spotted this thread! Absolutely gutted...truelly devastated...I've been loving his music since as long as I remember...I can't believe he has gone...I feel sick and emotional...can't believe I never found out... The word Legend is bandied about to often these days...but if ANYONE deserved that moniker it was this man. I feel like i've lost a member of my family Alton Ellis Sorely missed and never forgotten Russ
ZapatootheTiger Posted October 12, 2008 Posted October 12, 2008 Alton Ellis: 1944-2008 October 9, 2008FWIW, Alton Ellis actually died in the small hours of yesterday morning (U.K. time), in Hammersmith hospital, thus making it October 11.
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