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The Mighty Diamonds music biography continued...

in 1969 in the Kingston ghetto of Trenchtown, also home to Bob Marley. Their lineup, which remained consistent throughout, consisted of founder and harmony singer Pat "Lloyd" Ferguson (aka Judge Diamond, the Judge), lead singer Donald Shaw (aka Tabby Diamond, the Prophet), and harmony singer Fitzroy Simpson (aka Bunny Diamond, the Jester). Inspired by the polished, soulful sound of Motown, the group recorded some early albums with notable producers without much success, but they broke through in 1973 with their recording of the song "Shame and Pride." From there, the Mighty Diamonds moved to the Channel One label where they scored two quick hits with "Country Living" and "Hey Girl," and then had their biggest success yet with "Right Time." Signed to a major-label deal with Virgin, the Mighty Diamonds issued their first album, also titled Right Time, in 1976. It was an instant classic and spawned further hits in "I Need a Roof," "Have Mercy," and "Africa," making the group not only stars in Jamaica, but in the UK as well. After one misfire, the Mighty Diamonds returned to Channel One and cut several strong roots albums over the next few years: 1978's Stand Up for Your Judgement, 1979's Tell Me What's Wrong, and the most acclaimed of the bunch, 1979's Deeper Roots. In the early 80s, they had their biggest hit yet, recording the Rastafarian anthem about marijuana smoking, "Pass the Kouchie," which went on to be covered by groups in the UK and US, establishing the group as true reggae superstars.



In the mid-'80s, the Mighty Diamonds began to incorporate the digital sounds of ragga into their music, on albums like 1985's Struggling and the The Real Enemy (1987) and Get Ready (1988). After the release of several collections albums, they went back to recording and performing and continued to balance their spiritual and political messages with sweet, polished romantic material, maintaining their integral place on the reggae scene.