Alton Ellis, a pioneering vocalist in Jamaican music, was celebrated as one of the greatest singers until Bob Marley's emergence. Born in Kingston in 1938, Ellis began his career as part of the duo Alton & Eddie, later finding solo success with hits like "Dance Crasher" and "Girl I've Got a Date" during the rocksteady era. His legacy includes collaborations with artists like Phyllis Dillon and Hortense Ellis, as well as classic albums like Mr. Soul of Jamaica.

Resuming work with Studio One and Treasure Isle, Ellis continued to release hits like "Willow Tree" and "Sunday Coming" into the 1970s. Despite financial struggles, he relocated to England in 1973 and established his own label, Alltone. While overshadowed by the rise of roots reggae and Bob Marley's global success, Ellis made triumphant returns to Jamaica and left a lasting impact on the music industry before his passing in 2008.