Leroy Sibbles

As I turn the pages through the annals of reggae music, I arrive at a period of transition between Ska and Reggae, known as Rocksteady. This period between 1966 and 1968 saw the emergence of a number of vocal groups, including the popular Heptones. This 60's vocal group consisted of Barry Llewellyn, Earl Morgan and Leroy Sibbles. Together the Heptones released a number of songs that topped the popular music charts and ensured for them a corner stone place on the musical stage of time.
There were songs Like Baby, Get in the Groove, Ting a Ling, Fatty Fatty, Got to Fight "On To the Top", Party Time, Sweet Talking, and one of my personal favorites Sea of Love.
Truly outstanding for me out of that era in the development of Jamaica’s music culture is the contribution of Leroy Sibbles. Leroy has enjoyed the status of being one of the great all-round talents of the 60's in reggae history. Not only has he laid his foundation as a vocalist with the Heptones, but he has also penned quite a number of signature songs from the 60's.
And though he served as Studio One's session bassist for Clement Coxsone Dodd for a time, Leroy told www.chrismixradio in a recent interview that he was never officially asked by Dodd to serve as session bass player at Studio One in all the times he worked there as bassist and music arranger. He initially filled in on a session and gradually became the resident bassist.
During his time at Studio One, Leroy formed the association and eventual friendship of musical genius, Jackie Mittoo, who played a major role in Studio One's musical production. He was however never really seen as a frontline act.
However, this was to change later after the Heptone's release of Fatty Fatty, a rocksteady groove that shot to the top of the Jamaican charts. Two weeks after its release it was banned from air play as it was said that the lyrics were too suggestive.
For some, the rhythm and bassline were devastating in the way it affected the waistline. Then came Jackie Mittoo with an organ instrumentation on the Fatty Fatty Rhythm. This particular selection propelled Jackie Mittoo to greater public recognition with the classic music piece titled Ram Jam.
It is not popular knowledge but Leroy Sibbles can be credited for laying the bassline for an expansive number of songs. Tunes so numerous and popularly recognizable, such as Alton Ellis' Too late to turn back now, Wailing Souls smash selection Things and time, or The Abyssinians Sattamassagana, a foundational reggae anthem. In fact, Sattamasagana is a music track that was purported to have over 100 released versions.
It is a tribute to Sibbles skill that he has created reggae bass riffs and basslines for over sixty years that are still relevant throughout contemporary reggae music. Reggae Bass Melodies that have been the so much of who we are as a people, a culture, a music. Join www.chrismixradio.com for our feature on Leroy Sibbles, this Saturday, December 11 at 2am with repeats on Tuesday at 7pm and Thursday at 8pm.

prompting emcee Terri-Karelle to hail him as “one of the greatest opera singers to come out of the Caribbean.” Carole Reid in turn was obviously enjoying the event and performed several pieces including Ave Maria and Tell Him with Carla Tulloch. Her joy, experience and expertise in delivery was quite inspiring. Tulloch too, demonstrated her tremendous talent with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I will always love you. A rendition that garnered a standing ovation from her audience and queries about when she would be releasing her album as the audience wanted to hear more of her. Andre Shephard as always never disappoints and had the audience eating out of the palm of his hands. Overall, it was an evening of great musical feasting and Harold Davis brought the curtain down with a festive gospel medley that had Christchurch on its feet dancing. A fitting end to an outstanding show.
- Review by Indi Mclymont-Lafayette.


“The support of organizations like Golf View Hotel enables us to provide enhanced care to our patients. We are grateful for their continued assistance in addressing the healthcare needs of our community,” said Mr. Miller. He highlighted the importance of private-sector partnerships in the health sector.
In turn, Mr. Campbell, responded that the donation, demonstrates the hotel’s ongoing commitment to community health and well-being. The funds were raised from the Leo/Virgo birthday party put on at the hotel for Mr. Campbell and his wife, Kemilee, held on August 24, 2024.
The Renal Unit at the Mandeville Regional Hospital (MRH) serves patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses, offering critical dialysis and nephrology services to a growing number of residents in the central Jamaica region (Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth).
In a formal presentation at the hospital on October 2, Mr. Campbell handed over the donation in the presence of key members of the MRH team, who expressed their appreciation for the timely support. Also representing the Mandeville Regional Hospital were Ms. Tonia-Ann Hollingsworth, Nephrology Nurse; Mrs. Marika Davis, Nurse Manager of the Renal Unit; and Ms. Mernel Genus, Departmental Nurse Manager.
“This donation will go a long way in helping us improve our services to better care for our patients,” said Mrs. Davis, Nurse Manager of the Renal Unit. The hospital staff were hopeful that this partnership would inspire other businesses in the central region to support healthcare initiatives and contribute to the overall well-being of the community.
The Golf View hotel has been under new management since 2019 and operates under the motto, “In the heart of Jamaica from the hearts of Jamaicans.”
For further information, please contact: David Murray, Marketing Officer. Email: Davidalexander.gvh@gmail.com Tel: 1(876) 503-5612




