The Congos is a Jamaican vocal group formed in the mid-70’s by Cedric Myton (October, 30th, 1947, St. Catherine, Jamaica; falsetto) and Roydel “Ashanti Roy” Johnson (April, 12th, 1943, Kendal, Hanover, Jamaica; tenor), later becoming a trio with the addition of Derick “Watty” Burnett (May, 20th, 1948, Portland, Jamaica; baritone), completing the classic line-up.
Myton started his career as a member of the group The Bell Stars in 1967, followed by The Tartans in 1968 (along with Prince Lincoln Thompson, Devon Russell and Lindburgh Lewis), and “The Royal Rasses” in 1971. Ashanti Roy attended Kendal School with Lee “Scratch” Perry, their mothers also being friends. At the age of sixteen he began hanging around recording studios, where he was taught guitar by Ernest Ranglin. He was a member of Ras Michael’s Sons of Negus in the early 70’s, as well as The Righteous Brothers (led by Vivian “Yabby You” Jackson and also featuring Albert Griffiths of The Gladiators).
Later on, Ashanti Roy met again with Lee Perry who after hearing “Row Fisherman Row”, invited him to his Black Ark studio to record the song. He went to the studio with Cedric Myton and that was the start. Myton and Johnson, both serious Rastafarian artists and members of the Niyabinghi Order, first emerged as The Congos on a single, “At The Feast” (1976).
The Congos and The Gladiators
Saturday, 8th June 2024 | 20:00 CET
Lido | Cuvrystrasse 7 | 10997 Berlin/Kreuzberg
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