HOPETON LEWIS
1947 -
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Gospel, Reggae

Famed Jamaican baritone Hopeton Lewis first exercised his legendary vocal chords as a child in the Burnt Savannah Holiness Church choir. He formed his first group, The Regals, while still a teenager, after both his mother and grandparents had passed away. In 1966, Lewis recorded Take It Easy, what some consider the beginning of rocksteady, a precursor to reggae. In the late 1980s, the singer added producer to his list of accomplishments with the launch of record label Bay City Music. Lewis has slowly returned to his first love: church music. Since the 1990s, he has released over a dozen Gospel albums.

JUDY MOWATT
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Reggae

A lead singer of the female trio the Gaylettes in the late 1960s, Judy Mowatt joined another set of vocalists in 1974: the I-Threes. Along with Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley, Mowatt backed Bob Marley as the opening act for the Jackson 5 in 1975. The trio performed with the reggae legend on tour and in studio until his death six years later. A member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Mowatt was herself a powerful advocate for Rastafarian and feminist causes. In 1980, she released her first solo album, Black Woman, and in 1986, she was the first female singer to earn a Grammy nomination in the reggae category.  

KEN BOOTHE
1948 -
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Reggae

Rocksteady great Ken Boothe won his first singing contest at the age of eight. Already a star for his string of successful recordings with the Studio One label, the 20-year-old released his aptly titled debut album, Mr. Rock Steady, in 1968. Six years later, his single Everything I Own went to number one on the British charts. The singer's soulful, gritty vocals and sure-footed swagger quickly earned him the reputation as a Jamaican Wilson Pickett. Three decades later, Boothe's appeal continues to attract admirers; artists from Boy George to UB40 to Shaggy have covered his recordings.

LEROY SIBBLES
1949 -
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Reggae

As the blazing rhythms of ska music slowed to the mellow pace of rocksteady in the late 1960s, Leroy Sibbles' career was just picking up. The Heptones, for which he was lead singer, had recorded their 1966 hit single Fattie Fattie with Studio One. Four years later, the trio released its debut album On Top (which Sibbles still regards as among his best work.) He left The Heptones to pursue a solo career in 1977, only to reunite with the group in 1995. A prolific vocalist and songwriter, Sibbles was also a talented bass player and arranger at Studio One, backing the likes of Burning Spear and Alton Ellis.

MARCIA GRIFFITHS
1949 -
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Reggae

One of the most successful and respected female reggae vocalists, Marcia Griffiths first gained recognition beyond the shores of her native Jamaica with the 1970 hit single Young, Gifted and Black. Then part of the duo Bob and Marcia (with singer Bob Andy), Griffiths soon branched out on her own, forming the influential vocal group I-Threes in 1974. Along with Judy Mowatt and Rita Marley, the trio backed Bob Marley during his tours and recordings until his death in 1981. Around that time, Griffiths released another global hit, Electric Boogie, which launched the popular "electric slide" dance sequence.

THE TAMLINS
Origin: Jamaica
Main instrument: vocal
Genres : Reggae

Jamaican vocal trio The Tamlins is composed of Carlton Smith, Derrick Lara and Junior Moore. In addition to recording their own material, the three singers were in high demand during the 1970s for their smooth harmonies, accompanying leading artists such as Delroy Wilson and Jimmy Cliff. Their path also crossed that of Peter Tosh, who they toured with internationally for several years. Since then, the group continues to record and perform. Their electrifying stage performances recall Jamaican legend Bob Marley and the dynamic American outfit Earth, Wind & Fire.