12 October 2008 - 10H52
Legendary reggae singer Alton Ellis dies
Jamaica's reggae star Alton Ellis has died of cancer in west London at the age of 70. His manager and agent Trish De Rosa said Jamaican authorities were considering the possibility of giving Ellis a state funeral.
Jamaican reggae star Alton Ellis, known as the "Godfather of Rocksteady", died overnight of cancer in London, a hospital spokeswoman said Saturday. He was 70 years old.
Ellis passed away peacefully at Hammersmith Hospital, the spokeswoman said.
The singer-songwriter was diagnosed with multiple myeloma last year. He underwent chemotherapy and returned to the stage before he collapsed during his final performance in central London in August.
Ellis, who moved to Britain in the 1970s, had a string of hits in a career spanning more than 50 years, including "I'm Still In Love", "Dance Crasher" and "I'm Just A Guy".
He was awarded the Order of Distinction medal by Jamaica in 1994.
His manager and agent Trish De Rosa, of Roots-Rockers Promotions, said he was a key figure in Jamaican music.
"His life was the music and the stage," she said.
"He was getting a tremendous amount of work right up to the end -- it was very difficult to get him to slow down.
"He wanted to do as much as he could and leave a strong legacy."
She said Jamaican authorities were considering the possibility of giving Ellis a state funeral.
Laurence Cane-Honeysett, Jamaican music consultant for Trojan Records, said the label had been associated with Ellis throughout his career.
"He was a genuinely lovely man and his songs were heartfelt," he said.
"He was a seminal figure in terms of popularising Jamaican reggae music.
"His death is a terrible loss."
Jamaican reggae singer Delroy Williams, a friend and colleague since the 1960s, described his voice as "the sweetest in the reggae world".
"He was very humble," he said.
"His music is the reason for a lot of babies -- that's how sweet and warm and loving it is.
"It's just a shame that he didn't get the big world hit that he deserved."
Ellis, who lived in the northwest London suburb of Northolt, is survived by his wife and more than 20 children.
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Comments
Alton Ellis
Whenever a musician such as Alton Ellis passes,the world becomes a shade dimmer.Jah Guide my friend!Long Live The King's Music!Long Live REGGAE!!!
THE BEST EVER OUR ICON
ONE MORE OF OUR LEGEND DONE HIS GREAT ON THE ATMOSPHERE.
WILL CERTAINLY MISS, RIP MY MENTOR.JOB WELL DONE.
alton ellis
I had the opportunity to do an interview with Alton Ellis several years ago . After the interview the conversation we had left an impression on me . This was one of the coolest!!! Also a great performer!! He will be missed by fans , friends and family
Greatest Singer Ever
We have lost one of the greatest singers ever. His sweet sounds will truely be missed all around the world and the music business.. God Bless you.. Love DJ Panther XX
another family singer
RIP ALTON. ALONG WITH CHRIS AND LOVELLA AND KEECIA ALTON HAS ANOTHER TALENTED SON BY THE NAME OF AMISH ELLIS LOOK HIM UP ON WWW.MYSPACE.COM/ELLISPRODUKTS HE HAS A SONG CALLED FATHER SONG ON THERE
Alton Ellis
Truly his music carries on, sadly Alton Ellis will be very missed. "What Does It Take" my favorite song will always be sung in my heart to my beloved. Thank you, Alton for all God gave you to share with us.
altons 2 youngest children that sing
i would like to tell you all that alton may have a daughter by the name of keecia but she can not sing to save her life, he has a daughter the 'ONLY' daughter that can sing, her the name of lovella ellis and a son called christopher Ellis .Type in lovella ellis on google and you can hear her sing and by her vinyl. she has performed with her father Alton Ellis at the jazz cafe in london and sang at his funeral, PLEASE CAN YOU ALL GET THIS STRAIGHT- ALL THE NEWS PAPERS HAVE GOT THEIR STORY WRONG AS FAR AS JAMAICA, AND ANOTHER THING ALTON WAS NOT MARRIED TO THE WOMAN HE LIVED WITH, HIS WIFES NAME IS 'SIGMA ELLIS THEY HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR OVER 27 YEARS. YER HEARD.....SPREAD THE WORD, PEACE.XXX.....RIP ALTON
Rocksteady legend dies
Sorry to send two of them on one day.
Alton Ellis
As "the man" behind the console @ Federal Records & later as the head of Doctor Bird Records in the UK I feel proud to have been a part of putting that wonderful voice down for history to appreciate. Peace Alton....see you in that Great Rocksteady concert in the Sky.
ALton Ellis
Once of reggae greatest artist that inspired reggae performers like myself to continue in this part of the music industry rise up to ones and ones in his family blessed love.
rest in peace
WHEN MAN ON EARTH HAS DONE THERE BEST, THE ANGELS REJOICE.....
TIME TO REST MY FATHER......BLESS
alton ellis passing
This man is the geatest singer Jamaica has ever produced "ever" .I did a lot of shows with this great man and he has never dissapointed. the last one was the Vintage Music Festival in 2006 at Carib New York.As usual he ripped it up!!! He was and still is the godfather of rocksteady but he was also like my godfather we held a lot of "reasonins"I will always honor you at any show i do ..you will be missed on and off the stage."you a di boss"breaking up is hard to do for real..gone but can never be forgotten.. As he said once when we i was doing an interview with him "pam pam".that was his gun salute and it was for a Jimmy Riley song ..So for you my friend i say PAM PAM!!!!! you're the MAN ..the world love and miss you R.I.P.
My Grandfather Alton
To Judith and all the people who kept My grandfather away from his grand children: I wish I could see ...I wanted him to see his great grand daughter 'Empress' and al his great grand kids from his first born Noel Ellis ....We idolized you and the inspiration that you gave to us ...the little bit of time that you were able to get to see us ....from Devo to Jamaar we've tried to keep in touch but were always shut down by Judith or her kids but we still loved you and I can only speak for myself now after all these years I would like to say for the record I Love You and wanted to get to know you better.......Pure Love Cham cham
great man great music
never met the man in person but just met two of his sons in Bristol few weeks back they even gave me one of his LPs my condolences goes out to the family
He will all ways be a leggend
Alton thank you for the years of life and the years of music. Some times some one passes through earth and bless us with music that touch peoples' lives, you my brother is one of those rare ones. ON behalf of my family to your family I say peace my brother enjoy rest and God bless your soul.
You Inspired Us
Alton Ellis was a regular visitor to our home. A few months ago he came to a karaoke in Birmingham UK held for Users of the mental health system, carers and friends. He sang old time favourites like Muriel, La La means I love you and I'm still in love with you. My friend N misses him terribly. He's given the world some wonderful lyrics and lots of love. He's now singing with the angels. Thanks for the memories. God Bless. Shirley
He had the voice of an angel
My condolence to Mr Ellis Family & Friends, he was truly bless with a beautiful voice, I loved all his songs and own all, he was one of a kind, nuff respect, now u can go sing with angels, Rest in Peace my brother!!!!!
Sharing the Loss of Alton Ellis
There are lots of good people of quality and substance in the world today, but it seems that all the good ones from a powerful era in music are departing their time with us to a higher level lately. Anyone who has looked at reggae's history should know that Alton was / is one of the true foundations of this great music. and will be greatly missed.
condolence
Heart felt love and respect to my brother at the light, and my deepest, unconditional love to his family, everywhere.
Alton's passing
Thanks for blessing us all with your song. Jah lives in your memory, Alton. Blessings to your family.
Alton Ellis
i am truly upset at the news of Aton's passing. I was raised on his music in Birmingham,England, during the days of house parties, and doors were left open for anyone to enter and have a good time. Alton you will be missed,however your music lives on. Sleep on, and god bless. you were a true legend.
ALTON ELLIS
I MOURN THE LOSS OF ONE OF MY TRENCH-TOWN ELDERS WHO WAS LIVING NEXT TO MY YARD IN THE SIXTIES.HE WAS LIKE A BROTHER TO ALL OF US. WE GREW UP TOGETHER ALONG WITH HIS SISTER HORTENSE. JAMAICA HAS LOST ANOTHER ONE OF ITS MUSICAL MESSENGERS. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AND ALL HIS FANS. JAH KNOWS BEST. RAS CARDO REGGAE LEGEND FROM THIRD STREET IN TRENCH-TOWN.
Devastating Loss to Mankind
I did not meet Alton but I loved his music. I danced to all of his songs as his voice had a way of staying with you even after the songs are over. He was such a humble man, too bad he did not do as well on the international scene but he did fine enough for me as a Jamaican. I am very sad that he is gone but when I think of the concert on the other side - I can just hear the others welcoming the new lead singer... awwww! such is life. My prayer is that his family will find strength in his legacy, he has made an indelible mark, he did his best, his lived to the fullest and now his creator has called him home. We can not turn back the clock, we can not get him back but we can rest assured that we will see him again some day. God bless all those who were near and dear to him, may you find peace in the midst of this horrendous storm.