The Heptones is a jamaican rocksteady and reggae vocal group which was formed in Kingston in 1965. The original members include Leroy Sibbles, Earl Morgan and Barry Llewellyn. In 1978 Sibbles left the group to start his solo career. He was replaced by Dolphin “Naggo” Morris.
The Heptones has made significant contribution to the defining sounds of Rocksteady and early Reggae music in Jamaica. Their most dominant period was between 1965 and 1978.
In 1965 their first recording was a ska tune called “Gun Men Coming to Town produced by Ken Lack of Caltone record label.
Rocksteady Era
The group emerged during the transitional period from Ska to Rocksteady to Reggae. In 1966 they released their first rocksteady single, “Fattie Fattie”, for Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One records. In 1967 they recorded their first studio album called “The Heptones”.
They were one of the most contemporary groups during the Rocksteady era with several hits for Studio One such as “Pretty Looks”, “Mama Let Me Go”, “Oil In My Lamp”, “Sea of Love”, “Love Wont Come Easy” and “I Hold the Handle”.
The lead singer Leroy Sibbles worked with Jackie Mitto as a musical arranger at Studio one where he played bass for the studio band of Studio One. Some of their instrumental work was released under the name Soul Vendors and Soul Dimensions. Sibbles bass playing are featured on rhythms such as “Im Still In Love” by Alton Ellis; “Satta Massagana” by The Abyssinians and Full Up rhythm on “Pass The Dutchie” by Musical Youths.
The Reggae Era
The group made the transition into the reggae era with hits such as “Love Won’t Come Easy”, “I Hold (Got) The Handle” and “Book of Rules”. Barry Llewelyn sang lead on Book of Rules (1973) which represented one of the group’s greatest hits and also one of the few songs in which Sibbles did not sing lead.
The group left Studio one in 1971 and has recorded music with producers such as Joe Gibbs, Harry Johnson (Harry J), Augustus Pablo and Rupie Edwards.
In 1977 they recorded an album called Party Time with producer Lee Scratch Perry which was one of their best selling albums on the international market.
After Sibbles left in 1978 the popularity of the group diminshed, partially due to the mood in Jamaica for a preference in the rebel music of Rastafari. They however continued to record and perform throughout the 1980’s. Other members that have joined the group since the 1980’s were Glen Adams and Joseph Forester.
Reunited
In 1995 the original members reunited to make an album called Pressure. The album was produced by Tapper Zukie.
On 23 November 2011, Barry Llewellyn died in Kingston.
The Heptones will perform at the Rebel Salute reggae festival to be held on January 15 and 16, 2016 in St Ann, Jamaica.