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New-look Heptones find harmony in successful comeback

The original Heptones were a part of a golden era of Studio One hits such as Sea of Love, Party Time and Get in the Groove that topped reggae charts locally. However, the group eventually broke up and went their separate ways.


Founder Earl Morgan has revitalized the group, recruiting new members Michael Wisdom and Robert Dacres to replace the vocals of Barry Llewelyn and Leroy Sibbles. He says that the new-look Heptones is back and their harmonies are tighter and sweeter with each performance.

“Everywhere we go, people love us and we get a good feedback and response. We’ve been together one year and the harmonies are getting tighter and the Heptones are definitely back,” Earl Morgan, the head of the Heptones, told one876.

Since its rebirth, the Heptones have done at least 10 gigs, performing at venues which include the Amnesia nightclub in Ocho Rios, at the 12 Tribes of Israel headquarters, Treasure Beach, the Boat Bar and Mi Yaad in Negril, as well as during the Bob Marley-Dennis Brown tribute concert at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

“The original Heptones are not together any more because of greed and the world can see that, who have sense can see that. I am the founder of the Heptones, I own the name, I couldn’t make the name go down like that,” he said.

Morgan’s peers in the music industry such as Meritone Blake, Home T, Bagga Case and Bunny Lee encouraged me to do something to preserve the Heptones' legacy.

“The late Alton Ellis told me the same thing ‘you cannot make a name like that go down’. Fate smiled on me because I was able to recruit two men who sound like the original Heptones, both of them can lead and both of them can sing harmonies, what else could I ask for?” he asked.

He thanked his wife, Ivy, for the strength and support which allowed him to start over and become a success.

“Ivy has been my rock and I thank her. Things are looking prosperous again. Right now, we’re getting offers for overseas shows. I know that God loves me because He has kept me through all that I have been through and the pressure I have faced and the fight that I have overcome, with God, the rest is easy,” Mr. Morgan said.

Asked if he had met any resistance from the previous members of the Heptones, he said:

“None of them couldn’t feel no way. Leroy is out there making money. I was born musically, born to sing. I have to survive without them, supposed they pass away. And anyway, Barry and Leroy buck up overseas all the time and do shows together but they’re not supposed to use the Heptones’ name when they perform, it is registered to Earl Morgan and no one else.”

He said he has no animosity towards the former group members.

“Sometimes you and some man grow up and then things change. Human beings have change in them, you have to accept that and move on. I want to put my group out there and it is now a reality. JAVAA gave the first push and it just take off from there. As a people person, I was able to navigate around and get things goings and I am grateful it turned out great.”

The Heptones are working on a new album with Herbie of Third World fame and have also been doing some tracks with famed producer Blackbeard.

“We have been spending a lot of time around Sugar Minott studio andthe world is going to be pleased with the new Heptones, things are looking prosperous,” Morgan said.
Real prosperous, indeed.

bron: dhr.com


Alle Heptones staan dus terug op het podium, maar niet meer samen.