The Pioneers

Formation

The Pioneers were formed in Kingston in 1962 by brothers Sydney (Sidney) and Derrick Crooks with Winston Hewitt. The line-up changed through the 1960s; Jackie Robinson joined Sidney Crooks, and George Agard (also known as George Dekker) completed the best-known trio in the late 1960s.

Joe Gibbs and the racehorse songs

Working with producer Joe Gibbs in 1967 and 1968, the group cut some of the first records in the new reggae rhythm. "Long Shot," "Jackpot" and "Catch the Beat" were Jamaican hits in 1968. "Long Shot" was about a racehorse of that name at Kingston's Caymanas Park.

Leslie Kong and "Long Shot Kick De Bucket"

Moving to Leslie Kong's Beverley's label, the group recorded "Long Shot Kick De Bucket" (1969), a sequel reporting the death of the same horse in a race. Issued in Britain by Trojan, it reached No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart and became a favourite of the skinhead reggae audience. After The Specials covered it on their 1980 live EP, the original was reissued and charted again at No. 42.

UK years and "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah"

The group moved to Britain in 1970 and recorded for Trojan through the early 1970s. Their version of Jimmy Cliff's song "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" reached No. 5 in the UK in 1971, their biggest hit. Trojan issued a run of Pioneers albums, including Long Shot (1969) and Yeah (1971). Sidney Crooks also worked as a producer in London, and the group toured Britain and Europe on the strength of their Trojan singles.