The Heptones
Leroy Sibblies + Barrington Llewellyn + Earl Morgan
The legendary lead vocals of Leroy Sibblies and the sweet harmonies of Barrington Llewellyn and Earl Morgan are what made the Heptones one of reggae’s finest, most important harmony trios of the '60s and '70s - playing a key role in the transition between ska and rock steady.
Sibblies, Morgan and Llewellyn, all grew up in TRENCH TOWN, forming The Heptones in 1964. Their first release, "Gunman Coming to Town" was with Ken Lack on Caltone. Sir Coxsone Dodd signed them to his Studio One label and under his guidance, they had hit after hit starting with "Fattie Fattie" and "Only Sixteen" helping to establish Coxone’s successful Studio One recording label .
The Heptones- Barrington Llewellyn, Leroy Sibllies, Earl MorganThe Heptones rank among the biggest selling, and most influential recording groups in the history of ska, rock steady, and reggae music.
Buju Banton had his first recording at the age of twelve growing up in Barbican, a Kingston ghetto. In 1989 Buju recorded his first two hits, "Man Fi Dead" and "Jackie and Joyce" for the Penthouse label.
His 1992 album "Mr. Mention" broke all previous Jamaican album sales records*, surpassing Bob Marley. When the LP "Willy" was released in ‘94 Buju also launched Operation Willy, a fund-raising organization for HIV positive Jamaican children.
Cellblock was started in 1994 as Buju’s own record label to record and develop ghetto youths. The 1995 album "Til Shilo" was in the top twenty albums** of the year. His current LP "Inna Heights" is number two+ on the AP News weekly album charts.
*freenet.fsu.edu **SPIN +Associated Press
** RECENT ADDITIONS **
Shaggy a true
hit maker who lived in Kingston until leaving at age 18 for Brooklyn, New York. After
being a high school DJ Shaggy started cutting records at 20 years-old, debuting with
"Man A Mi Yard/ Bullet-proof Buddy" on the Don One Studio's label.
Then "Oh Carolina," a reworking of an old classic, became a hit beyond anyone's
expectations. And now, after signing to Virgin Records, his second album
"Boombastic" reached it's peak with the crowning of a Grammy Award for
"Best Reggae Album".
Bounty Killer Jamaica’s leading deejay from Riverton City in Kingston used to help out on his father's sound system, he began making lyrics and performing at dances.
His first big show was Border Clash 92 where he got numerous gun salutes.
Bounty Killer has toured the Caribbean, North America, Europe and Japan — and after six albums has recently signed with the Wu-Tang Clan.
Director/Writer
Bruce Wayne Gillies is the co-writer, producer and director of the shocking short film, CAR TROUBLE, DARLIN’ - and recently completed principal photography on THE SPLITTING HARE-ACHE, also a short that is in post- production that he wrote, produced and directed.
CAR TROUBLE, DARLIN’ was made as a television pilot and successfully invited to several film festivals. And both shorts clearly serve to demonstrate Bruce’s natural filmmaking talents.
Including TRENCH TOWN, Bruce has written five screenplays, four short films, and two television treatments. He also spent eight-plus busy years working on features in Hollywood and overseas as either Line Producer, 2nd Unit Director, UPM, or 1st A.D.
Bruce started directing in college helming multi- camera coverage of NCAA college sports. He created, wrote, and directed seven television programs ranging from news to entertainment shows.
Bruce Wayne Gillies grew up in Southgate, Michigan and attended Central Michigan University majoring in Cinematic Arts.