Roy Shirley

☰︎

Main image

Roy And Joe The Muckers The Leaders

ex The Uniques

Ainsworth Roy Rushton Shirley (18 July 1944 – July 2008), better known simply as Roy Shirley, and also known as King Roy Shirley and The High Priest, was a Jamaican singer whose career spanned the ska, rocksteady and reggae eras, and whose Hold Them is regarded by some as the first ever rocksteady song. He was also one of the original members of The Uniques

ALBUMS

Emotions*, Roy Shirley

Rude Boy Confession / Get On The Ball

2023, 7", RE, Caltone,

Alva Lewis*, Roy Shirley

Revelation / Musical War

2012, 7", RE, Lee's Revive,

2010, 10", Roots Injection

Roy Shirley / The Emotions

Get On The Ball / Don't Want To Let You Go

Your Musical Priest (Classic Ska, Rocksteady & Reggae 1966-72)

2004, CD, Comp, Westside

2003, 7", RE, Afro

Music Is The Key-The Anthology 1967 To 1975

Children On The Road

Nice Up The City

2002, CD, King Roy Shirley Music Enterprise

The High Priest

1998, CD, Album, Rhino Reggae,

Roy Shirley, Stranger Cole, Ken Parker

Rock Steady Greats (Get In The Groove)

1996, CD, Comp, Rocky One,

High Priest Roy Shirley*

Black Lion Negus Rastafari

Abolish Apartheid Now

1989, 12", Southwark (2)

My Loving / Reggae Girl

1986, 12", Classic Sounds

Lackley Casttell* / Roy Shirley / L. Douglas*

Just Too Young / All I Need Is Love / Once Bitten

Roots Reggae/Lovers Rock/Dancehall

The Return Of The High Priest

1982, LP, Album, Weed Beat,

Don't Trouble Nobody Girl

1982, 7", Weed Beat

Roy Shirley, Lloyd Lovindeer

Love Is Forever

Roy Shirley, Big Youth, Roy Reid*

The Great Roy Shirley / Johnny Reggae / Buck And The Preacher

1978, 12", Micron Music Limited,

Stop Your Fussing & Fighting

1977, 7", Victry

1977, 7", Single, Peace (9)

1976, LP, Album, TrenchTown

1976, 7", Third World

Rasta Love (Is The Greatest Love)

1976, 7", TrenchTown

1976, 7", Single, TrenchTown

Love Your Mother

1975, 7", Hawk Records (2),

Love Your Mother

1975, 7", Single, M/Print, Hawk Records (2),

Heartbreaking Gypsy

Stay By My Side / It's You I Love

Roy Shirley And The Champions

1974, 7", Arrow (2),

Don't Destroy The World / Golden Festival

1974, 7", Single, Leroy,

Roy Shirley & The Undivided Band*

1974, LP, Album, Florence (2)

George Foreman Versus Mohammed Ali / Deejay Race

Heart Breaking Jepsey

Denzil Dennis / Roy Shirley

Mama We're All Crazee Now / A Lady Is A Man's Best Friend

1973, 7", Pama Supreme,

I Fancy You / Pretty Brown Eyes

1973, 7", Single, Dip

1973, 7", Count Shelly

Roy Shirley And Peter Cambell* / Earl George

Jingle Bells / High School Dance

1973, 7", Count Shelly

1973, 7", Count Shelly

Come Children Come

Send The Children To School

1973, 7", Telegraph (3)

Send The Children To School / People You Are Greatest

1973, 7", Single, TP, W/Lbl, Count Shelly

Hopeton* And Glen* / Roy Shirley

Live Like A King / Musical Face Man

1973, 7", M/Print, RE, Pantomine,

When You're Young / Traitor

Endlessly / Put Your Sweet Lips

Roy Shirley & Altyman Reid*

Joshua Wearing The Crown / Live Up To Love Version

1972, 7", Single, Public (4)

Prayer (Part 2) / Prayer From The Priest

Don't Be A Loser / Jamaican Girl

Shirley* & Charmers* / Lloyd Charmers

Rum Rhythm / Rhythm (Version)

A. Reid* & R. Shirley*

Roy Shirley & Altyman Reid*

Joshua Wearing The Crown / Monkey Princess

Wonderful People

1971, 7", Single, Panther (2)

Roy Shirley / Count Ossie & Mudies All Stars

If I Did Know / If I Did Know Instr.

The Mighty Roy Shirley Part I

1971, 7", Panther (2)

1971, 7", Single, Public (4)

1971, 7", Jogib Records,

Roy Shirley, The Uniques

Don't Be Afraid / Facts of Life

1971, 7", Not On Label

The Great Roy Shirley*

One, Two, Three / Plus One

Roy Edwards (3) / Slim Smith & Roy Shirley

You Girl / Facts Of Life

1970, 7", Camel

Black Love/More Black Love

1970, 7", Public (4)

Praying For The Problem

1970, 7", Smith's

Roy Shirley / Jo Jo Bennett

Children On The Road / Lecture Me

1970, 7", Moodisc Records

Higgs And Wilson* / Glen* And Roy*

Don't Mind Me / Angel

Freedom Festival / Good Ambition

1969, 7", Single, Not On Label,

Roy Shirley / The Upsetters

On Board / Do Good

1969, 7", Public (4)

Samson Say / Every Man Needs Money

1969, 7", Single, W/Lbl, Not On Label

On Board / Be Wise

1969, 7", W/Lbl, Bla, Not On Label

Roy Shirley, The Ambassadors

Public Reggay / I'd Like To Know Where In The World

1969, 7", W/Lbl, Public (4)

Roy Shirley / Unknown Artist

Music Island / Samson Say

1969, 7", Not On Label

Stranger Cole & Roy Shirley

Nuggets For The Needy

1969, 7", Single, Not On Label

Roy Shirley, The Mighty Vikings

Flying Reggay / Prophecy Fulfilling

Thank You Jamaicans

Roy Shirley, Boris Gardiner & The Love People

Life / I Like Your Smile

Roy Shirley / Glen Adams

Warming Up The Scene / Lonely Girl

1968, 7", Giant (2),

Dance Arena / Musical Train

1968, 7", Giant (2),

Val Bennett / Roy Shirley

Jumping With Mr Lee / Keep Your Eyes On The Road

1968, 7", Island Records,

Sensations* / Roy Shirley

Long Time No See You Girl / Million Dollar Baby

1968, 7", Island Records

Roy Shirley / The Uniques

Musical Train / Facts Of Life

1968, 7", W/Lbl, Public (4),

Glen Adams / Roy Shirley

She's So Fine / Girlie

1968, 7", Single, 4-P, Island Records

Roy Shirley, The Uniques

1968, 7", Single, Island Records

Freedom Land/Actions Speak Louder

1968, 7", Single, W/Lbl, WIRL

Never Let Them Go / My Loving Queen

1968, 7", W/Lbl, King's

1968, 7", Island Records

1968, 7", Single, Not On Label

The World Needs Love

Untouchables (2) / Roy Shirley

Tighten Up / Good Ambition

Roy Shirley, Bobby Aitken & The Caribeat*

Million Dollar Baby / Rolling Rolling

Roy Shirley With Drumbago All Stars

Bright Life / Golden Festival

Roy Shirley With The Soul Syndicate

Golden Festival / My Bride

Hush A Bye / Musical Dinner

Dancing Reggae / Musical Priest

Val Bennett / Roy Shirley

Spanish Harlem / If I Did Know

Move All Day / Rolling Rolling

Fantastic Lover

Stranger And Glady* / Roy Shirley

Seeing Is Knowing / Music Is The Key

Roy Shirley With Busters All-Stars*

Golden Festival / Think About The Future

Buster's All Stars* / Shirley* & The Rude Boys

Rock Steady / Gently Set Free

1967, 7", Blue Beat

Roy Shirley And The Caltone Studio Orchestra / Johnny Moore With Tommy McCook & The Supersonics

Get On The Ball / Sound And Soul

1967, 7", Caltone

Roy Shirley / Lee Perry And The Dynamites

Music Field / Trial And Crosses

1967, 7", Single, Doctor Bird,

The Jupiters (2), Roy Shirley

Return Of Ezekial / Music Is The Key Of Love

1967, 7", Amalgamated Records

Lee Perry and The Sensations, Roy Shirley

Run For Cover / Sleeping Beauty

1967, 7", Single, W/Lbl, WIRL, Star (29),

Roy Shirley With Lynn Taitt & The Jets

Roy Shirley With Caltone Studio Orchestra

Get On The Ball / Do Me Good

Roy Shirley With Lynn Taitt & His Band*

Hold Them / Be Good

The Uniques / Roy Shirley

Evil Love / Wonderful You

1966, 7", JJ Records (5)

The Gaylads / Roy Shirley

Who Will You Tell Your Lies / Thank You

1966, 7", Coxsone Records

Roy Shirley & Ken*

Calling / Paradise

Roy Shirley & Ken Booth*, Baba Brooks & His Recording Band*, Granville Williams, Baba Brooks & His Recording Band*

Lollipop Tonight / The Jerk

Roy Shirley, Sonny King

Shirley / It Means So Much

Money And Love / Smile With The World

12", Single, Winner International

Roy Shirley / Big Youth

The Great Roy Shirley / Johnny Reggae

7", RE, Micron Music Limited,

My Loving Queen

7", W/Lbl, King's (4)

12", Charmers Records,

Get On The Ball

7", RE, Striker Lee

Sandra Reid / X-Press (4) / Barber Jones / Roy Shirley

Just For Only You / Tenderness / Wonderful World / When You Are Young

12", Bla, Champion Records (20)

Lloyd Telfer, Roy Shirley

Oh Doctor / Tenderly I Love You Medley

12", Williams (3)

7", Single, Shirley Records (3)

Donny Elbert* / Roy Shirley & Glen Adams

Gather Around / Dancing Train

7", RE, Striker Lee,

Keep Your Eyes On The Road / Keep On Moving

7", Single, Moodisc Records,

The Great Roy Shirley*

Plus One / Hold Them

7", Single, Soul Beat

Plan For The Future

12", Maxi, GG's Records

Ken Boothe / Roy Shirley

The One I Love / Get On The Ball

A Dis / Only You

7", Single, W/Lbl, Not On Label

The Musical Train / Welcome

7", W/Lbl, JJ Records (5)

I Love You Girl

12", Speciality (2)

I Can't Stop Loving You

7", Single, King Roy Promotion

7", MP, M/Print, RE, Striker Lee

7", Single, W/Lbl, Not On Label

12", Soul Music (6)

7", W/Lbl, Bla, Not On Label

Roy Shirley / The Melodians

Flying Reggay / Sweet Rose

7", Single, TP, W/Lbl, R & B Discs Ltd.

Control Them Volume 1

Freedom Festival /Those Boys Won’t Get Nowhere

7", W/Lbl, Not On Label (Roy Shirley Self-released)

7", RE, Jogibs Records

Move those feet

12", Maxi, GG's Records

Sir Harry (2), Roy Shirley

Man In The Moon / Golden Festival

7", Mono, W/Lbl, Public (4)

Romy & The Tenners, Roy Shirley

Take Heed / Dancing Girl

Roy Shirley, In Crowd Band*

Make It Godly / The Prayer

7", Single, In Swing

Roy Shirley & The Silent Choir*

Silent Night / O Come All Yie Faithful

Young Love / Sweet Lips

Love Will Never End

Gregory Isaacs, Roy Shirley

Another Heartache/Come On Little Girl

When You Are Young

The Ethiopians / Roy Shirley With Lyn Taitt & His Band* / King Perry*

Train To Skaville / Hold Them / Doctor Dick

Israelites Leave Babylon

Every Body Needs A Friend

Roy Shirley / The Thunder Bird All Stars

Who God Bless No Man Curse

The World Need Love / Hold Them

Sock It To Me! Boss Reggae Rarities In The Spirit Of 69

Denis Al Capone*

1976, 7", TrenchTown

Reggae Various Artists

Noel Bailey / Sir Harry

Love And Affection / Man In The Moon

1969, 7", Single, W/Lbl, Not On Label

Absolutely Rocksteady

APPEARANCES +

Explosive Rock Steady

This Is Trojan Rock Steady (The Sweet Soulful Sounds Of Jamaica)

2018, 2xCD, Comp, Trojan Records, BMG,

Rocksteady/Reggae

This Is Trojan Boss Reggae (The Original Tighten Up Explosion)

2018, 2xCD, Comp, Trojan Records, BMG,

First Class Rock Steady

Bass Culture Volume Three: When Reggae Was King - Roots, Rockers, DJs And Dub 1970-1980

2012, 2xCD, Comp, Nascente,

Reggae/Roots Reggae/Dub

Rude Rich & The High Notes*

Tribute To The Greats

The Mighty Striker Shoots At Hits

2008, CD, Comp, Moll-Selekta,

Roots Reggae/Dub

Tighten Up Volume 1

25 Ans De Musique D'avant Nova

2007, 25xCD, Comp + Box, Ltd, Nova Records, Wagram Music,

Folk Rock/Chanson/Tango/P.Funk/Big Band/Ska/Hard Bop/Easy Listening/Country Rock/Pop Rock/Prog Rock/Afro-Cuban Jazz/Cha-Cha/Art Rock/Fusion/Salsa/Dub/Funk/Rock & Roll/Calypso/Bossanova/Jazz-Funk/Garage Rock/Bop/Punk/Soul/Mento/Disco/New Wave/Rhythm & Blues/Swing/Post Bop/Hard Rock/MPB/Blues Rock/Rocksteady/Free Jazz/Roots Reggae/Doo Wop/Psychedelic Rock/Mambo/Samba/Bayou Funk/Modern Electric Blues/Reggae/Bollywood/Chicago Blues/Soundtrack/Vocal/Skiffle/Krautrock/Cool Jazz/Soul-Jazz/Son/Jump Blues/Country/Modal/Avantgarde/African/Post-Punk/No Wave

Essential Ska - Original Ska Anthems

2007, Box + 3xCD, Comp, Metro Triples,

Ska/Rocksteady/Reggae

Everything I Own: The Definitive Collection

Reggae/Rocksteady

Trojan Carnival Box Set

Reggae/Roots Reggae/Rocksteady/Reggae-Pop

Do The Reggay!: The Early 'Reggae' Singles 1968-1969

2001, CD, Comp, Westside,

Anthology 1967 To 1979 (Love Of The Common People)

Reggae/Roots Reggae/Dub/Rocksteady

Crying Over You (Anthology 1963 To 1978)

Reggae/Rocksteady/Roots Reggae/Ska/Reggae-Pop/Lovers Rock

Trojan Jamaican Hits Box Set

2000, 3xCD, Comp + Box + Ltd, Trojan Records, Trojan Records

Sir Lee's Rock Steady Party At Kings House

Sir Lee's Rock Steady Party At Greenwich Farm

Sir Lee's Rock Steady Party At Buckingham Palace

Trojan Producer Series Box Set

1999, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Ltd, Trojan Records, Trojan Records,

Reggae/Dub/Ska/Roots Reggae

The Best Of Ska

1999, CD, Comp, MasterTone

Groove To The Beat

Rocksteady/Reggae/Ska

Jackpot Of Hits (Explosive Rocksteady)

1997, CD, Comp, Trojan Records

1997, CD, Londisc Records,

From The Dynamic Treasury Volume 1

Lion Roots Volume 2

Foundation Of Roots Vol. One

Roots Reggae/Dub

1993, CD, Comp, Trojan Records

Feel Like Jumping - Rock Steady And Reggae From Jamaica 1966-68

1989, LP, Comp, Receiver Records Limited

Horace Andy / Rhythm Queen

Can't Get Enough

Catch This Beat: The Rocksteady Years 1966-1968

The Trojan Story

Ska/Rocksteady/Reggae

Ashley Bennett*, The Revolutionarys* / The Revolutionarys*

Move Them / Love & Inity

1977, 12", High Note

Diane Lawerence*

A Little Bit Of Soap

1973, 7", Magnet

Rocksteady/Roots Reggae

Rockin' Episode

Scorchers From The Early Years 1967-73

Rocksteady/Reggae

Let's Do Rock Steady - The Soul Of Jamaica

2024, 2xLP, Comp, Trojan Records

Rock Steady Cool

Hot Sauce 2 1965-1975

2021, LP, Comp, Harlem Shuffle Records,

Rocksteady/Reggae/Roots Reggae

Foolish Fool & Herbsman Reggae

2020, 2xCD, Comp, RE, Doctor Bird,

Bunnie Lee's All Stars*

Leaping With Mr.Lee

The Ska (From Jamaica)

Bunny 'Striker' Lee*

Jumping With Mr Lee (Reggae Classics From The Vault Of Bunny "Striker" Lee)

Some-A-Holla Some-A-Bawl Sounds From Kingston Town Jamaica

Gay Feet - Every Night

Rude Boy Scorchers

Reggae/Rocksteady

The Early Years Of Joe Gibbs 1967-73 - Vol. 1

2016, LP, Comp, Studio 16,

Reggae/Rocksteady

First Class Rock Steady

Rocksteady Taking Over Orange Street 1966-1968

Treasure Isle Bond Street Special 1967-1974

2014, Cass, Comp, Domino Sound,

Bunny Lee's Agro Sounds 101 Orange Street

Do The Rock Steady 1966 To 1968

Listen Up! Rocksteady

Trojan Presents: Rock Steady - 40 Ground-Breaking Hits

Reggae/Rocksteady

Reggae Going International 1967-1976 • 22 Hits From Bunny 'Striker' Lee

Rocksteady Hits The Town

Natty Dread Sampler 55

2009, CD, Comp, Smplr, Natty Dread Magazine

Scorchers From The Early Years 1967-73

Foundation Singers Revival Classics Volume I

2008, 2xCD, Comp, Attack,

Roots Reggae/Rocksteady/Lovers Rock

Rocksteady Fever

Everything I Own: The Definitive Collection

Rewind And Come Again (Hits Of The Past)

2006, CD, Comp, Moodisc Records International,

Rocksteady/Reggae

2006, 2xCD, Comp, Elap

Caltone Special

Lyn Taitt & The Jets*

Hold Me Tight Anthology 65-73

Reggae/Ska/Rocksteady

101 Orange Street - Ska Meets The Rocksteady Train

Trojan Reggae Duets Box Set

2004, Box, Comp, Ltd + 3xCD, Trojan Records,

Reggae Gospel/Reggae/Lovers Rock/Dancehall/Reggae-Pop

Trojan Jamaica Box Set

2004, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Ltd, Trojan Records,

Roots Reggae/Ska/Rocksteady

The Bunny 'Striker' Lee Story

2004, 4xCD, Album, Comp, Box, Jet Star, Charm,

Reggae/Dub/Lovers Rock/Reggae-Pop/Roots Reggae/Rocksteady

A Place Called Jamaica Part 2 (Bunny "Striker" Lee's Productions From 60's & 70's)

Keep That Lovelight Shining - A 30th Anniversary Tribute To Jamaica's Greatest Singer

Baba Boom! Musically Intensified Festival Songs

Roots Reggae/Ska/Rocksteady

Reggae Steady Ska

2003, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Disky

Trojan Reggae Brothers Box Set

2003, 3xCD, Comp + Box, Ltd, Trojan Records

The Ultimate Trojan Ska Box Set

2003, 9xCD, Comp + Box, Trojan Records,

The Ultimate Trojan Club Reggae Box Set

2003, 9xCD, Comp, Box, Trojan Records,

Reggae/Roots Reggae/Rocksteady/Reggae-Pop/Dub/Instrumental/Lovers Rock/Soul

The Ultimate Trojan Jamaican Box Set

2003, 9xCD, Comp + Box, Trojan Records, Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.,

The Ultimate Trojan Box Set

2003, 9xCD, Comp + Box, Trojan Records, Sanctuary Records Group Ltd.,

Trojan Carnival Box Set

Rock A Shacka Vol. 9 - Cool Down

Ska Face Volume 2

2002, CD, Comp, Rhino Records,

Let's Do Rocksteady (The Story Of Rocksteady 1966-68)

Ska Face Volume 1

2001, CD, Comp, Rhino Records,

Reggae Summer Party

2001, CD, Comp, Elap,

Anthology - Joe Gibbs: Love Of The Common People (1967 To 1979)

Reggae/Roots Reggae/Dub/Rocksteady

Crying Over You - Anthology 1963-1978

Trojan A Jamaican Story Box Set

2000, 3xCD, Comp + 3xCD, Comp + 3xCD, Comp + 3xCD, Comp , Trojan Records,

Ska/Dub/Roots Reggae/Lovers Rock/Rocksteady/Reggae

Heartbeat Reggae

2000, CD, Comp, LaserLight Digital

Sir Lee's Rock Steady Party - At Kings House

Trojan Ska Box Set Volume 2

Reggae's Greatest

1999, CD, Comp, BCI Eclipse

Trojan Rare Groove Box Set

Roots Reggae/Rocksteady

Get On Up! (Joe Gibbs Rocksteady 1967 - 1968)

1998, CD, Comp, Trojan Records

The Ska's The Limit Volume 2

The Best Of The Vintage - The Original Singers

1997, LP, Comp, Joe Gibbs 21st Century,

Big People Music Volume 3

30 Years Of Jamaican Music On The Go

1995, 2xCD, Comp, Rhino Records,

Rocksteady/Ska/Roots Reggae

From The Dynamic Treasury Volume 1

Lion Roots Volume 2

Joe Gibbs Rock Steady Early Years Vol. 1

Roots Reggae/Rocksteady

Joe Gibbs Rock Steady Early Years Vol.2

Bodyguard Dub Plate Volume 1 "World Sound Clash Champion 1993"

Explosive Rock Steady - Joe Gibbs' Amalgamated Label 1967-1973

Out Of Many, One - Jamaican Music Part Two

Roots Reggae/Ska/Rocksteady

Best Of The Festival - Day One - Live At Reggae Sunsplash

A Blast From The Past

1976, LP, Comp, LTD

Return To Me - Reggae Vol. 2

1973, LP, Comp, Count Shelly

Feeling High - Vol. 1

1973, LP, Comp, Count Shelly,

Sir Collins Music Wheel Chapter 1

Reggae To Reggae

The Trojan Story

Ska/Rocksteady/Reggae

Higgs And Wilson* / Glen* And Roy*

Don't Mind Me / Angel

Explosive Rock Steady

Timeless Reggae

CD, Comp, Half Moon Records (2), Levites

Strictly The Best The Rock Steady Version Vol. 1

2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed, Striker Lee

Hotter The Battle

Cass, Comp, Domino Sound

Straighten Up Vol. 3

LP, Comp, Pama Records

Lee's Gold Volume 1

CD, Comp, Attack,

Shin (Determinations)* / Druweed*

Night Food Vol.01

Cass, Comp, Mixed, Night Food

Close Encounters Lion Lovers Vol. 1 & 2

2xLP, Comp, Lion Inc.

Cass, Comp, Domino Sound,

Nice Time With The Super Stars

CD, Comp, Paradise Records (5),

Nice Time With The Super Stars

CD, Comp, Original Super Power Records,

This Is Reggae - Volume Three

Groove To The Beat

Ska/Rocksteady/Reggae