The founding members of the group were Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Lester Sterling, Don Drummond, Jerome “Jah Jerry” Haynes, Jackie Mittoo, Johnny Moore and Jackie Opel.
Trombonist Drummond's composition, Man In The Street, entered the Top 10 in the United Kingdom. He was not only the Skatalites' busiest composer, but was the most prolific in all of Ska, with at least 200 tunes to his name by 1965.
On January 1, 1965, Drummond was jailed for the murder of his girlfriend, Anita 'Marguerita' Mahfood, and in August that year, the Skatalites played their last show. The break-up resulted in the formation of two supergroups, Jackie Mitto and the Soul Brothers (later the Soul Vendors and finally Sound Dimension) and Tommy McCook and the Supersonics. Drummond died in the Bellevue Asylum on May 6, 1969 at age 37.
In June 1983, the Skatalites reformed for a reunion performance at the Sunsplash festival in Montego Bay in July. Between 1985 and 1988, the core members of the Skatalites emigrated, and eventually coalesced in the northeast of the United States. They played their first U.S. concert at "The Village Gate", and did their first U.S. tour in January, 1990. The Skatalites continued touring the U.S., and did their first tour of Europe in 1992.
In January 1996, the Skatalites was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of "Best Reggae Album" for their 1995 Shanachie release, Hi Bop Ska. They were again nominated for a Grammy Award in the same category for their 1996 Shanachie release, Greetings From Skamania, in January 1997.
The Skatalites began their first World Tour in February 2002, covering the United States, Europe, Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Russia, and Japan, which lasted nine months.
On 8 February 2012 the band announced a new single and album due out in 2012 as well as a new US tour starting in Texas and heading to New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Oregan, California, Washington and then Canada. These dates follow 4 dates they announced in January for the North East. The new album will be titled "All Roads" and will feature the last recordings of founding member Lloyd Knibb.
Original 1960s lineup
Tommy McCook - tenor saxophone, flute
Roland Alphonso - tenor saxophone
Lester Sterling - alto saxophone
Don Drummond - trombone
Johnny "Dizzy" Moore - trumpet
Lloyd Brevett - upright bass
Lloyd Knibbs - drums
Jerome "Jah Jerry" Haynes - guitar
Jackie Mittoo - piano
Jackie Opel - vocals
Associated musicians
Though not official band members, these musicians worked with the Skatalites extensively during the 1964-1965 period in the recording studio, or in the case of the vocalists, at live shows. Doreen Shaeffer later joined the group full-time when they reunited.
Tony Gregory - vocals
Doreen Shaeffer - vocals
Lord Tanamo - vocals
Dennis "Ska" Campbell - tenor saxophone
Oswald "Baba" Brooks - trumpet
Frank Anderson - trumpet
Ernest Ranglin - lead guitar
Lyn Taitt - rhythm guitar
Current lineup
Lester Sterling - alto saxophone
Doreen Shaffer - vocals
Azemobo "Zem" Audu - tenor saxophone
Andrae Murchison - trombone
Kevin Batchelor - trumpet
Val Douglas - bass guitar
Natty Frenchy - guitar
Cameron Greenlee - keyboards
Trevor "Sparrow" Thompson - drums
Other former band members
These musicians played in various lineups of the Skatalites during their reunion period (1983–present), generally replacing original members who were absent or deceased.
Mark Berney - trumpet
Nathan Breedlove - trumpet (1993–1998)
Cedric "Im" Brooks - tenor saxophone (2000–2002,2007-2010)
Karl "Cannonball" Bryan - saxophone (2003–2009)
Calvin "Bubbles" Cameron - trombone (1983–1984)
Welford "Will" Clark - trombone (1994–2003)
Vin "Don D. Junior" Gordon - trombone (2003–2008)
Devon James - guitar (1987–2009)
Bill Smith - keyboards (1993–1999)
Ken Stewart - keyboards (1988-1990,1998-2009) (also serves as the band's manager)
Clark Gayton - Trombone (1989–1994)
Cary Brown - keyboards (1990-1995)
Louis Bonilla - trombone
www.skatalites.com
Ball Of Fire
The Skatalites Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Skatalites' "Ball of Fire" is a jubilant, high-energy instrumental track that showcases the band's mastery of the ska genre. The main melody is played on a bright, fast-paced horn section that creates a sense of urgency and excitement. The rhythm section provides an irresistible beat that invites the listener to move and dance.
The title of the track, "Ball of Fire," refers to a particularly exciting and explosive time in the band's career. The Skatalites were formed in the early 1960s and quickly became one of the most influential bands in the ska genre, collaborating with a variety of artists and developing a unique sound all their own. "Ball of Fire" captures the band at the height of their powers, and the instrumental nature of the track allows the listener to focus entirely on the musicianship and energy of the band.
The track is notable for its use of call-and-response structures, as well as the seamless integration of various horn and percussion elements. Each member of the band contributes to the overall sound and energy, creating a cohesive and dynamic listening experience. "Ball of Fire" is a testament to the skill and innovation of The Skatalites, and remains a beloved example of the ska genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Ball of fire, I'm on ball of fire
I am in a state of intense excitement and energy.
I'm going higher, caught up in the blaze of desire
I am experiencing an intense desire and am propelled to great heights.
I'm so alive, I'm feeling like a king
I feel full of life and power, as if I am a powerful ruler.
And everything I touch, it just takes on wings
All the things I come into contact with become elevated or take on a new life.
When I'm on ball of fire, I'm on ball of fire
When I am in this state of excitement and energy, I am truly unstoppable.
I'm feeling good, oh, so good
I feel fantastic, incredibly happy and content.
Just like I knew that I would
I always knew that I would feel this way.
I'm on ball of fire, I'm on ball of fire
Once again, I am in a state of intense excitement and energy.
I'm going higher, caught up in the blaze of desire
Once again, I am propelled to great heights by an intense desire.
I'm feeling good, oh oh so good
Once again, I feel fantastic, incredibly happy and content.
Just like I knew that I would, yeah
And once again, I knew I would feel this way all along.
Contributed by Elena K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steve Edwards
This tune is so awesome
El Jefe De Guerra
How long have I been sitting on this collection without knowing this was on there. I didn’t know there was an older version. I have lost my connection to this positive and powerful energy. Life eh? Ty it is sublime
gene hornung
could be a number 1 hit today
Robert Weston
First heard this on Trojan album Guns of Naverone 1979, its epic, its absolutely fucking foot tappingly skanking brilliance
Béal Feirste
The toughest of the tough.
Neil Foxlee
Based on this UK TV theme tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXTDAk7qXhw
Loving Old School
Yeah man a mi Name Lovingoldschool come to Educate and and to entertain 😎😎😎😎🔥🇯🇲❤️🙏🏿🎙🎙🎙😍
Antonio Gambardella
yea rastafay
snafutube
2 tone deaf down voters!