Lloyd Charmers

Lloyd Charmers' career (born Lloyd Tyrell) spans some of the most fertile periods of Jamaica's musical history. From the late-'50s era of Jamaican shuffle R&B and the subsequent ska boom, to the rocksteady and roots reggae of the late '60s and early '70s, Charmers made valuable contributions not only as a vocalist, but as a session musician and producer, as well. Charmers first broke into the Kingston music scene as a member of the singing duo the Charmers, which also featured vocalist Roy Willis. After scoring a few hits in the late '50s, the group caught the attention of rising producer and future reggae legend Clement "Coxsone" Dodd. Cut for a variety of Dodd labels, including All Stars, World Disc, and Coxsone, the Charmers' output for the producer included their biggest smash, "Jeannie Girl," a song featured on Coxsone's famous debut collection, All Star Top Hits. Continuing under Dodd's newly setup Studio One imprint, Charmers and Willis maintained their high profile into the ska and rocksteady period during 1962-1967. Spurred on by one of the day's top singers, Alton Ellis, Charmers took up the piano in 1966. A few years later, he was an accomplished enough player to form a band of his own with a few friends. Also featuring Charmers on organ, the lineup included guitarist Alva "Reggie" Lewis and the sibling duo of drummer Carlton "Carlie" Barrett and bassist Aston "Family Man" Barrett. Dubbed the Hippy Boys, the group soon fell into the camp of fledgling producer Bunny "Striker" Lee. Their first date with Lee was as the backup band on alto saxophonist Lester Sterling's instrumental hit "Bangarang." Renamed the Bunny Lee Allstars, the band eventually backed a slew of Lee acts, including Ken Parker, Max Romeo, Pat Kelly, John Holt, and Slim Smith & the Uniques...