Tony Brevett, singer of the rocksteady group The Melodians, died on Saturday of cancer in a Miami hospital. He had been hospitalised since August.
A nephew of Lloyd Brevett (the Skatalites' drummer), Tony Brevett founded The Melodians with Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton. The group started out at Studio One in 1966 before joining Duke Reid at Treasure Isle, with whom they had several hits.
Swing & Dine at Sonia Pottinger's followed, but above all Rivers of Babylon, a rasta anthem that remains their greatest success to date, popularised by the soundtrack of the film "The Harder They Come".
After Brent Dowe left in 1973 to pursue a solo career, the group reformed on several occasions. In the 1990s, they released
Since the death of Brent Dowe in January 2006, following a heart attack, Tony Brevett and Trevor McNaughton had remained active. Last January, they released the album "Lyrics to Riddim", with songs recorded before Brent Dowe's death.
They were in the USA to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of The Melodians.
The Melodians : Rivers of Babylon
The Melodians - You Don't Need Me
Tony Brevett - Don't Get Weary :
