KINGSTON, Jamaica –

A memorial party will be held this Friday at the Double Shot Sports Bar, Baron’s Plaza, St Andrew for late Ethiopians singer Leonard Dillon.

According to his daughter Patrice “it will be like a get together with his family, friends and others just celebrating his life.”

Dillon died last year on September 28 after suffering from lung, brain and prostate cancer.

The Ethiopians were one of Jamaica’s most influential vocal groups. The duo, which featured  Dillon and Stephen Taylor, was at the forefront of the transition from Ska to Rocksteady.

The Ethiopians

Dillon’s style and use of Rastafarian-themed lyrics also paved the way for the socially-conscious roots reggae era. The Ethiopians made early impact with hits such as ‘Train to Skaville’ and ‘Woman a capture man’.

Since those first recordings, Dillon went on to record with the likes of Vincent Chin, Prince Buster, Joe Gibbs, Bob Andy, Rupie Edwards, and Lee “Scratch” Perry.

In 2009, he returned to the studio with the legendary Jamaican vocal team The Silvertones to record his album Original Hit-makers from Jamaica, Volume 1: Leonard Dillon The Ethiopian.

In explaining the activities of the memorial, Patrice says she is still working on the details but is certain some of his friends will be paying musical tributes.