Sattalites

The Sattalites are a Canadian reggae group. Founded in Toronto, Ontario as a music school in 1981, the band has become one of the most successful Canadian reggae ensembles.[1] They signed with the Canadian record label Solid Gold Records early in their career and have been with them ever since. Their style has been described as a radio-friendly combination of lover's rock and dancehall.[1]

Sattalites
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresReggae
Years active1981 (1981)–present
Members
  • Fergus Hambleton
  • Jo Jo Bennett
  • Bruce Robinson
  • David Fowler
  • Bruce McGillivray
  • Junior McPherson
  • Rick Morrison
Past members
  • Felix Taylor
  • Neville Francis
  • Neil Chapman

History

Jo Jo Bennett and Fergus Hambleton, the first members of the Sattalites, met while touring with reggae singer Afreen and the pair began performing together, mixing Bennett's instrumentals with Hambleton's smooth alto voice to create the Sattalites' sound. The band started as a teaching group who opened the Sattalites Music School on a pay-what-you-can basis to spread their influence in 1981. The Sattalites consisted of various types of students from the school who wanted a sense of live performing. By 1982, the Sattalites had melded into a collaboration of musicians from talented beginners to experienced pros, some of whom still perform. They became very well known for their enthusiastic live performances which initiated their extensive touring across Canada and the United States. It was the only Canadian band ever invited to play at Jamaica's "Sunsplash", playing before 25,000 people, and they also performed at the 1993/94 World Skiing Championship in Whistler, British Columbia. As two-time Juno winners, the Sattalites are one of Canada's longest standing reggae groups.

Members

Fergus Hambleton has been the lead vocalist of the Sattalites since the band's beginning. He also plays the guitar, alto saxophone and the keyboard and has played in other bands including A Passing Fancy and the Ginger Group. Vocalist Jo Jo Bennett, a founding member of the group, also plays the flugelhorn and percussion. The other five members are David Fowler (keyboards), Bruce McGillivray (bass), Junior McPherson (drums and percussion), Rick Morrison (saxophone) and Bruce Robinson (piano and vocals). During the 1980s and 1990s, Felix Taylor played trombone and sang background vocals. Neil Chapman also played lead guitar on many of their recordings as well live on stage.

Discography
Albums
  • 1985 Sattalites
  • 1987 Live via Sattalites
  • 1989 Miracles
  • 1993 All Over the World
  • 1995 Now and Forever
  • 2003 Reggaefication
Singles

References
  1. Wilson, Jason (2020). King Alpha's Song in a Strange Land: The Roots and Routes of Canadian Reggae. UBC Press. p. 230. ISBN 978-0-7748-6230-1.
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