King of Rock Steady dies

It's only two months since I had the pleasure of seeing Alton Ellis, the King or Godfather of Rocksteady, at the Jazz Cafe, but now he's dead, aged 70. (See The Vinyl Word August 11 and my photo below). This was apparently his last appearance and we were unaware that he was suffering from lymphatic cancer. It was a thoroughly enjoyable show and I'm glad I had a chance to see him one more time, but it underlines why we should take every opportunity there is to see these great performers from the 50s and 60s when we get the chance.

There are good obituaries of Alton in today's Times http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4937742.ece and the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/oct/14/jamaica There's also a belated obit of Richard 'Popcorn' Wylie in the Independent today http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-popcorn-wylie-tamla-motown-pioneer-who-became-a-cult-hero-for-northern-soul-fans-960281.html