The sad news was confirmed at the end of the week: Roy Shirley, veteran Jamaican artist, musician, singer, songwriter and producer, has died at the age of 64. Originally from Trenchtown, he will be remembered above all for his song Hold them, recorded in 1966, producer Joe Gibbs' first hit. The track is also considered one of the first rocksteady songs.
A major artist of the period, Roy Shirley rubbed shoulders with Errol Dunkley, Ken Boothe and Slim Smith and enjoyed great success in the United Kingdom, via the Trojan label like many of his 60s peers. He settled there for good in 1973, without ever ceasing to record and to perform in the gaudy costumes that made his reputation. His possessed performances earned him the nickname "High Priest of Soul".