Local History

The late 70s and early 80s were politically and socially vibrant times for African-Caribbean youth across the country - with inner city riots, unemployment and stop and search issues making young black men especially aware of their community and culture.

It was against this background that six teenagers from around the Newtown and Nicholson areas of Southampton began playing music - inspired by the reggae artists of the day and reflecting their own lives, conditions and aspirations.

Ebony Rockers in the 80s

The original members were in their late teens when they got together - Ivan Dellimore, Bing Lewis, Neville Virgin, George David, David Ellis (Eggy), Versell Gordon(Scratch), Duncan Carberry and Rose Jones, all living in the city's close-knit African-Carribbean community.

A youth and community worker Don John saw their potential and set about managing them.

Don arranged some practice space at the local youth centre known as the "Boys" club and later created a space for them to rehearse in the basement of his flat (complete with egg boxes on the wall) and after a lot of practice, the band's musicianship and confidence on stage improved.

Ebony Rockers on stage

Steppin Out

In the following year they won the regional heat for Melody Maker's National Battle of the Bands competition and played in the finals in London where Annie Lennox was one of the judges. They came second and were signed to EMI.

A couple of singles were released and reached the lower ends of the charts, but the band were very successful right across the South and supported a number of mainstream acts including Steel Pulse and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Tracks like Steppin' Out, Human Jungle and Struggle were played at venues around the South - including legendary Southampton venues like the Onslow and the Joiners.

After 3 years or so the band members felt they had reached the end of the line and they went their separate ways.

Craig David

However one legacy of the band emerged in early 2000 when bassist George David's son Craig won international fame in the RnB world. A young Craig saw the Ebony Rockers rehearsals and as Don claims: "We like to think that it rubbed off on him!"

The return

Three decades on and in July 2008 the band reformed for a sell out gig at Talking Heads Southampton and other charity specials.

Ebony Rockers back in the studio

Versell Gordon explains: "Most of the band members went on and had families and did other things. But Don and myself and a few others have always kept in touch."

Don admits it was strange seeing the band coming together on stage again: "It seemed the right thing to do at the time. We sat down and said let's give it one more go."

George David, Versell Gordon, Willie White, David Ellis have been joined by new members Ebonie G, just graduated from Solent University in Music and Lisa Skie, who is a third year student as well as Tenjan, a French Rastafarian MC. Duncan Carberry is re-joining the band for a New Years eve gig.

The band have also been back in the recording studio working with producer Martin White on a new single called "Black History... No Murder" to co-incide with the month, and hope to record other tracks for an EP release in the new year.

Ebonie G and Lisa Skie

As Don explained: "Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasise the achievements of black communities. Very often in education and the media there There are important facts that that people don't know."

"Music is one of those things which brings people together and older black people have played their part in making that an important aspect of life and living here."