The Melodians

Formation

The Melodians formed in 1963 in Greenwich Town, Kingston. The members were Tony Brevett (lead), Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton, with Renford Cogle helping with writing and arranging.

From ska to rocksteady

The group recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One and then Duke Reid at Treasure Isle. "Lay It On" (1966) is noted as one of the first records to show the shift from ska to rocksteady, and "You Have Caught Me" and "Expo 67" followed in 1967 and 1968.

Sonia Pottinger and Leslie Kong

For Sonia Pottinger they cut "Swing and Dine", written by B.B. Seaton of the Gaylads, and "Little Nut Tree". With Leslie Kong at Beverley's they recorded "Sweet Sensation" and "Rivers of Babylon" (1970), written by Dowe and McNaughton from Psalm 137. "Rivers of Babylon" became a Rastafarian anthem and was included on the soundtrack of The Harder They Come (1972), alongside Jimmy Cliff and the Maytals. Boney M.'s 1978 cover was a UK No. 1 and one of the best-selling singles in British chart history. The group's catalogue also includes "I Will Get Along (Without You)", reissued by Trojan.

Later years

After Leslie Kong died in 1971 the members worked apart for long periods, and Brent Dowe recorded as a solo singer. The group regrouped in the 1990s. Brent Dowe died on 29 January 2006, Tony Brevett on 25 October 2013 and Trevor McNaughton on 20 November 2018. The Return of the Melodians (2017) reached No. 19 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association gave the group an Iconic Award the same year.