Eric \u201cMonty\u201d Morris<\/strong><\/p>\n Monty Morris, who has outlived many of his contemporaries, is recognized and considered one of the founding fathers of ska music. As early as 1961, prior to Jamaica gaining its independence from Great Britain, he had several hit songs such as “I\u2019ve Tried,” \u201cMe & My Forty Five,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Search the World” and the chart topping, \u201cHumpty Dumpty\u201d for singer\/producer Prince Buster. Also in 1961, he recorded \u201cTo Be or Not to Be\u201d for producer Coxsone Dodd.<\/p>\n That same year Monty teamed up with Jamaican expatriate who now resides in Canada, Roy Panton. The duo released several unique and brilliant cuts \u201cIn & Out the Window,\u201d Oh Little Honey\u201d and Sweetie Pie,\u201d all of which made cash registers ring for producer Duke Reid. Along with giants of the ska epoch, Alton Ellis, Stranger Cole and Ken Boothe, Morris grew up in the Trench Town area of Kingston, Jamaica. His big opportunity came when he competed in the ever so popular Vere Johns’ Opportunity Hour.<\/p>\n From there Monty went on to make hit songs for every Kingston producer of the day. With his popularity at an all time high, having placed multiple tunes such as \u201cStrongman Sampson,\u201d \u201cHumpty Dumpty,\u201d \u201cDrop Your Sword,\u201d \u201cPenny Reel\u201d and \u201cOil in My Lamp,\u201d on the top ten charts on both Jamaican radio stations, JBC and RJR, Monty could do no wrong. He was commissioned to perform in the United States at the highly prestigious 1964 New York World’s Fair.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sflcn.com\/images\/storyImages\/full\/Monty%20Morris.jpg\")
\nMonty Morris<\/strong><\/p>\n