Jamaican Bands
Jamaican Reggae & Soca Bands

New! See the real Jamaica in VIDEOS!
Click Here and see why over 140,000 fans are raving about my YouTube Channel!

Jamaican Bands | Toots and the Maytals (Photo: caribbeannationalweekly.com)

by Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Music is at the heart and soul of Jamaican culture. In everything Jamaican, you can be guaranteed that some good Jamaican music, whether that is dancehall, reggae, ska or even mento will accompany it.

In the music world of Jamaica, solo artists are way more popular than bands. As a matter of fact, what bands are currently still in existence have been around for many years.

But just in case you don’t know, or maybe you have forgotten, here are 5 popular Jamaican bands that you must know.

Toots and the Maytals

One of the greatest early reggae bands, a highly regarded 1960s and 1970s Jamaican vocal group. The band members were:

1. Henry "Raleigh" Gordon
2. Nathaniel "Jerry" Matthias (or McCarthy)
3. Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert

The Maytals, a ska band founded in 1962 and led by the charismatic Hibbert, rose to prominence in Jamaica thanks to Hibbert's hearty, vivacious vocals, which were sometimes compared to Otis Redding's.

The Maytals were first known as the Vikings and later as the V. Maytals. "54-46 (That's My Number)," a thumping, the furious story of Hibbert's stay in prison on a marijuana conviction, is regarded as one of reggae's greatest songs.

The Maytals recorded it in 1968 with Leslie Kong serving as producer. Following "Do the Reggay," which is regarded as the first explicit use of the phrase, other popular songs included "Monkey Man," "Funky Kingston," "Sweet and Dandy," and "Pressure Drop."

They have consistently released music throughout the years, there latest project being released in August 2021.

The band stayed together until 2021 when they lost front man Toots Hibbert to COVID-19 complications. The band has continued taking on the name "The Maytals."

The Skatalites

The Skatalites are a Jamaican ska group. They first performed between 1963 and 1965, recording many of their most well-known songs during that time, including "Guns of Navarone," as well as playing on Prince Buster's records and providing backing vocals for several other Jamaican artists who released music during that time, such as Bob Marley & The Wailers on their debut single "Simmer Down."

They reformed in 1983 and have continued to perform since then. The Skatalites have a long list of former members, however, their current members are:

1. Doreen Shaffer
2. Val Douglas
3. Trevor "Sparrow" Thompson
4. Ken Stewart
5. Aurelien Metsch aka Natty Frenchy
6. Anant Pradhan
7. Vin "Don Drummond Junior" Gordon
8. James Smith
9. Larry McDonald

Byron Lee and the Dragonaires

Jamaican Bands | Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (Photo: jamaicans.com)

A Jamaican ska, calypso, and soca band called Byron Lee and the Dragonaires later changed their name to Byron Lee's Dragonaires after Lee passed away. The group was instrumental in introducing Caribbean music to the rest of the world.

Byron Lee passed away on November 4, 2008, after enduring a protracted battle with illness. Byron Lee and his buddy Carl Brady founded the band in the early 1950s, giving it the name of the football team they played for at St. George's College.

To commemorate the team's victory, the band's original music was mento, and they gave their first performances in the campus common area.

1. Byron Lee
2. Lynford Brown
3. Neville Hinds
4. Tony Gregory
5. Vic Taylor
6. Winston Graham
7. Winston Wright

Mighty Diamonds

Mighty Diamonds are a national treasure of Jamaica. Every reggae fan has at least one Mighty Diamonds song they love. The list includes "Pass the Kutchie," "Right Time," "Master Plan," "Tamarind Farm," and more.

Jamaica's greatest harmony trio, founded in Trench Town in 1969, is currently commemorating 40 years of producing music, ranging from abrasive roots reggae to the tender lover's rock.

1. Fitzroy "Bunny" Simpson
2. Donald "Tabby" Shaw
3. Lloyd Judge Ferguson

Fabulous Five Inc.

Jamaican Bands | Fabulous Five (FAB 5) | (Photo: Trojan Records)

A reggae and soca group called The Fabulous Five Inc., sometimes referred to as Fab 5, was founded in Jamaica in the late 1960s. They have had numerous number-one songs in Jamaica throughout a 45-year career, published 26 albums, and were featured performers on Johnny Nash's platinum album “I Can See Clearly Now.”

They have performed at various international music festivals and were chosen as the best band by Swing magazine for three consecutive years. They have also received over 30 major local and international accolades in Jamaica.

1. Frankie Campbell
2. Harold (Jr) Bailey
3. Grub Cooper
4. Sidney Thorpe
5. Donovan Lee Palmer
6. Romeo Gray
7. Andre Palmer
8. Andrew Cassanova
9. Cleveland Manderson

These Jamaican bands have ensured that Jamaican music will never grow old.

Sharing IS Caring! Please help me get the message out by sharing this article with your friends on social media (links below). Thnx ;-)

If you found this page useful, please consider subscribing to my weekly newsletter, to get even more. 

It tells you each week about the new information that I have added, including new developments and great stories from lovers of Jamaica! 

Return to Jamaican Top 10 Reggae Songs from Jamaican Bands
Return to My Island Jamaica Homepage from Jamaican Bands

References & Sources For Jamaican Bands

1. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Byron Lee and the Dragonaires - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 29 September 2022].
2. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. The Skatalites - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 29 September 2022].
3. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2022. Toots and the Maytals | Members, Songs, & Facts. [online] Available at: [Accessed 29 September 2022].
4. Last.fm. 2022. Byron Lee & The Dragonaires lineup, biography | Last.fm. [online] Available at: [Accessed 29 September 2022].

Jamaican Bands | Written September 29, 2022

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

NEW! 

Join the growing list of well-thinking,  Jamaica-Loving folks in our vibrant Private Community

👇🏿

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. Medical Scholarships in Jamaica

   Apr 23, 24 04:21 PM

   
   Pursuing a career in medicine is a noble aspiration, however it is quite expensive. These medical scholarships in Jamaica helps to ease the financial burden.

   Read More

2. Why Do People Like Jamaica So Much?

   Apr 23, 24 03:00 PM

   
   Jamaica is one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean, which may have you wondering, why do people like Jamaica so much?

   Read More

3. How To Become A Realtor In Jamaica?

   Apr 20, 24 12:09 PM

   Are you eyeing the real estate business but not sure how to become a realtor in Jamaica? This is all you need to know to get started.

   Read More

4. Jamaican Oats Porridge Recipe! Simple and Delicious

   Apr 19, 24 01:49 PM

   
   Yes! Oats porridge, the breakfast of champions! This simple dish is a go-to for most of us. Don’t you want to give the Jamaican Oats Porridge recipe a try?

   Read More

5. Jamaican Passion Fruit Juice | Refreshing, Delicious, Nutritious!

   Apr 18, 24 05:14 PM

   
   Summer is fast approaching. We’ll need many refreshing drinks to take through the warm sunny weather. Why not add Jamaican passion fruit juice to the list?

   Read More