MAURICE Roberts, a founding member of famed vocal trio The Gaylads, died on Friday at age 70.
His daughter, Paula, said Roberts died at the University Hospital of the West Indies where he had been admitted the previous day.
Along with Horace ‘Bibi’ Seaton and Winston ‘Delano’ Stewart, Roberts formed the classic Gaylads line-up which is recognised as one of Jamaican pop music’s great harmony groups.
They thrived during the rocksteady era of the mid and late 1960’s, recording a number of hit songs for different producers, including Clement Dodd, Sonia Pottinger and Leslie Kong.
Lady With the Red Dress, Joy in The Morning, Hard to Confess and Over the Rainbow were some of the trio’s popular songs.
After Seaton and Stewart left for solo careers, Roberts led a version of The Gaylads along with brothers Randell and Hopeton Thaxter. Later, they became The Psalms, recording and touring as Bunny Wailer’s harmony group.
Maurice Roberts is survived by his wife, four children, 10 grandchildren and two sisters.
–ByHoward Campbell
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