Episode

REGGAE DANCEHALL PIONEERS: Alton Ellis — The Brixton Years Begin | Part 8 | The Singer Who Built His Own Lifeboat

Podcast
History of the Caribbeans | Exploring Resilience and Culture
Published
Jun 1, 2026
Duration seconds
142
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Audio
https://episodes.castos.com/696791fa7737c1-14460688/2473818/c1e-9z106f2jz70udk8xzp-ww45movmhg15-v64eqi.mp4
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Summary

In 1972 Alton Ellis moved to London and opened All-Tone Records in Brixton. Six years later, two teenagers rode his rhythm to UK number one with Uptown Top Ranking. He never saw the money. Part 8 of the Reggae Dancehall Pioneers series tells the story of the lifeboat he built — and the question that never left him.