Affectionately remembered primarily for their classic single 'The Tide Is High' - which was later turned into a huge international hit for Blondie and, later still, Atomic Kitten - Jamaican rocksteady act The Paragons captured the island's sweet, sun-kissed vocal harmonies and went on to influence the likes of Massive Attack, UB40 and The Specials.
Starting life as a young doo-wop group called The Binders, Bob Andy, Tyrone Evans, John Holt and Howard Barrett came together in 1964 and started out trying to imitate the sound of American soul and R&B music. Their romantic, soothing melodies developed into something more distinct though during recording sessions for legendary producer Coxsone Dodd, and they scored national hits with singles 'In Love at Last', 'Follow Me' and 'Play Girl', while performing at clubs and hotels. Andy left to pursue a successful solo career in 1966, but as a trio they entered their most successful period with album 'On the Beach' producing signature tracks like 'Only a Smile' and 'Wear You to the Ball'. They also topped the Jamaican charts with 'My Best Girl' and 'Silver Bird', but as trends turned towards reggae music, the group's later work with female vocalist Roslyn Sweat didn't catch on.
Holt went on to become a leading solo star, but the group occasionally reformed in one guise or another over the years including to work with albino dancehall artist Yellowman on an album in 2002. Their influence and reputation remained vital though thanks to people such as Horace Andy, Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs recording their songs and in 1980 Blondie topped both the US and UK charts with their version of 'The Tide Is High'. English girl group Atomic Kitten again took the song to number one in the UK in 2002, and Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall reworked the track in 2008 with vocals from Keri Hilson.
