Born Shirley Kay in 1948, Phyllis Dillon grew up in Linstead, St. Catherine, Jamaica. She began singing at an early age in school and at church functions. While singing with her first band The Vulcans at The Glass Bucket in Kingston, she met Lynn Taitt. He was so impressed with her singing; he offered to introduce her to legendary producer Duke Reid. Kay was only 19 when she first met Reid at his Treasure Isle studio. It was at that time she decided to change her name. From then on she became known as Phyllis Dillon. This meeting signaled the beginning of her reign as the Queen of Rocksteady.
The first song she recorded with Reid was Dont Stay Away, one of the few she wrote on her own. It ended up being one of the biggest hits of her career. Being 19 at the time and still living with her mother and father, Dillon didnt know about copyright laws. For the recording of her first single she was paid 5 pounds and never received any more money. Even though she was gaining popularity in Jamaica she was told by Reid and others that her album wasnt selling. She soon realized that it was the same all over the recording industry in Jamaica. If she left Reid to work for someone else the results would be the same. So she continued to produce songs with Duke Reid despite his refusal to pay her royalties.
Drawing on the sounds of American artists such as Connie Francis, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick, she began to try and develop her own unique sound. During her career she was known for recording other peoples songs. She often presented Reid with material shed written herself, but often times he felt they were too tame, or wouldnt fit whatever project they were working on. She did duets with the likes of Alton Ellis and Hopeton Lewis, the combination of these voices were phenomenal, but for some reason the songs never quite took off. Still she continued to write her own music but never got the opportunity to record those songs while working for Reid.
Dillon finally became fed up with Reid and moved to New York in 1967. While living in New York, she would occasionally travel back to Jamaica to do some more recording. The recording sessions and a few unpaid gigs were short lived. She decided to give up on singing. Tired of being ripped off and not having her creative voice heard she remained in New York. She got married and had 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. Even though she was ready to settle down, her husband was not. Sadly, the marriage ended in divorce. To make ends meet she took many odd jobs and eventually became a bank teller.
Even though she was working as a bank teller, her desire to sing never left her. She would travel to Jamaica at times to sing at hotels, or do a guest spot for some charity event. After vanishing from the music scene for nearly 20+, years she started singing with a Jamaican band in New York, The Buccaneers. They toured all over America, doing charity shows, guest spots for various events, dingy clubs and hotels. Wherever they could get a gig, thats where theyd go. She loved to sing, but soon found out that it was very much like working for Reid. Rarely did she get paid for gigs, and if she did it wasnt even close to the amounts shed been promised.
Phyllis managed to save enough money and built a house in her hometown of Linstead, St. Catherines Jamaica. In February of 2004, she was preparing to embark on a world tour when she suddenly fell ill. She had been being treated for arthritis, complaining of pain all over and just felt sick. After further examination it was discovered she had cancer. It had ravaged her body and spread to her brain. Tragically she lost her battle with cancer on April 15, 2004. She was 59 years old.
The next Shanty Town Radio Show starts this Sunday, 05-11-08 from 4pm to 6pm. We broadcast the show on livestream at www. radiocorax. de We..ll report from the Ska Splash Festival in Sealand near Skegness (U.K.) of this year. Our co-workers Arne & Pelle interviewed Prince Buster, Winston Francis, Neville Staples (ex-Specials), Roddy Radiation (ex-Specials), Skaville U.K. and many more. Don’t miss it! You can download this Radio Show some days later at www. shanty-town. de Dexter Youngheart & Dr. Dick.
This Sunday, the 13th of April, check out for Shanty Town Radio Show between 4 pm and 6 pm on livestream @ www. radiocorax. de with interviews of Doreen Shaffer, The Moon Invaders and Rude&Visser. Above all two hours with Ska, Soul, Rocksteady and Funk music. The complete interview with Doreen Shaffer on our myspace-site as well. You can download that Shanty Town Radio Show some days later on www. shanty-town. de Dexter Youngheart & Dr. Dick.
The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best The best YEAH!!!! Kamila Rude
Jet's 'Carry On Ska' International Ska Festival 2008 SKA SPLASH
25th / 26th / 27th April 2008 Sealands, Roman Bank, Ingoldmells near Skegness, Lincolnshire
Symarip (ft.Roy Ellis and Monty Neysmith) Dennis Alcapone & Winston Reedy (JA) Skaville Uk With Special Guests Rhoda Dakar & Jennie Bellestar Roddy Radiaton & The Skabilly Rebels Rebelation Django 3 Minute Warning The Pioneers (JA) The Beat Mark Foggos Skasters The Rough Kutz The Special Guests The Hotknives Smoke Like A Fish The Goldmaster All Stars The Amphetameanies (TBC) Too Many Crooks The Big 20 Dead Camels Kifaru Prince Buster & The Delroy Williams Junction Band (JA) Neville Staple & His Band Winston Francis Backed By The Goldmaster All Stars (JA) Intensified The Riffs Bombskare The New Town Kings The Splitters The Cracked Actors Catch It Kebabs The G Men The Meow Meows Dirty Revolution
THE BIGGEST, BADDEST AND BEST SOUL, SKA AND REGGAE CLUB IS NOW ON EVERY SATURDAY COAST TO COAST @ ON THE ROCKS
On SAT 1st March DJ CELLO & guest The Matador + Steady D (MC), w/up Turbo AC spin the sounds of soul, ska and reggae all night at Coast to Coast.
Coast to Coast is now EVERY SATURDAY due to your good support and has now been running as a night at On The Rocks for over 6 years now. It's become one of the best and most popular club nights in the underground music scene and is starting to make some small headlines with the media, which is indicative of the progress that Coast to Coast has made as a club and Cello as a respected DJ.
So remember, Coast to Coast is on every Saturday @ On the Rocks , to get you out of the rainy weather into the sunny land of rhythm! and we look forward to playing you some great grooves to dance to.
As always the music policy will be Only The Best Vinyl from the 60's and 70's, from Black America to Jamaica. Expect massive doses of Ska, Soul, Funk, Northern, Motown, Reggae, Rocksteady & Boogaloo.
