Page 30 - Exploring our way of life

Rocksteady

This genre originated in
Jamaica around in 1966.The

term rocksteady was
derived from a dance style

that came from Alton Ellis’s

song "Rock Steady".

Rocksteady is a combination ofthe musical elements ofR&B,
Jazz, Ska, African &Latin American drumming, and other

genres.It is identifiable through the elements of Ska, offbeat
rhythms; staccato chords played by a guitar and piano on

the offbeats of the measure.

Unlike Ska, the dances done to Rocksteady are less
energetic. American soul singer Johnny Nash, made the

first international Rocksteady hit entitled "Hold Me Tight" in

(1968). This hit reached number one in Canada.

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