Biography
The Maytones consisted of lead vocalist Vern Buckley alongside harmony singer Gladstone “Son” Grant. The two grew up as neighbors in the countryside market town of May Pen, an upbringing that shaped their distinctive vocal approach.
Buckley reached Kingston ahead of his partner and began providing backing vocals for Trevor Lloyd, an association that apparently led to an introduction from Lloyd to Alvin Ranglin. Although precise dates remain unclear, late 1967 marks the most reliable estimate for the duo’s formation and for Grant’s own arrival in the capital. During 1968 they cut several singles that Buckley produced himself; these appeared under his name alone, mostly on the VB pre imprint, yet none made an impact. Ranglin then assumed the roles of manager and producer. Reports suggesting he had once sung with the group and turned it into a trio have never been substantiated.
That same year Ranglin reactivated his GG’s label, immediately improving the Maytones’ prospects. Their first release on the revived imprint, “Billy Goat,” attracted notice, but “Loving Reggae” delivered their initial chart success before 1968 ended.
Throughout the classic reggae period the pair issued a steady stream of popular 45s. Ranglin’s own rural tastes and the relaxed grooves of his GG’s All Stars complemented the duo’s sound, while Buckley’s gift for distilling everyday romantic or cultural themes into concise, emotionally direct lyrics proved especially effective. Their unadorned high-and-low harmony blend, though straightforward, connected strongly with local listeners.
The year 1970 yielded the major hit “Funny Man” and further successes with “Serious Love,” “Gold on Your Dress,” “Bowee Wowee,” and “Cecilia.” Additional strong sellers followed in 1971, among them the cultural numbers “Cleanliness,” “Bongo Man Rise,” “Wha Nu Dead,” and “Little Boy Blue,” the last of which Judge Dread later adapted into a hit of his own.
Another round of standout singles arrived in 1972—“Born to Be Loved,” “As Long as You Love Me,” “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right),” “Brown Girl,” and “Hands and Feet”—with “All Over the World, People Are Changing” appearing the next year.
The Maytones seemed well positioned for the roots era, particularly after “Madness” scored in Britain in 1976, yet their recording pace slowed as Ranglin devoted attention to other artists. Nevertheless, tracks such as “Africa We Want to Go,” “Holy Ground,” “One Way,” “Do Good,” “Come Along,” “Judgement Day,” and “Money Worries”—the last featured on the Rockers soundtrack—remain significant.
Their first long-player, named after the British hit, came out in 1976; Greatest Hits followed in 1977; and both Boat to Zion and the Buckley–Ranglin co-production One Way appeared in 1979. All sold well in Jamaica and within overseas West Indian communities, but wider international breakthrough eluded them. That shortfall prompted the duo’s dissolution when Buckley emigrated to Canada in 1981.
A short-lived reunion in 1994 produced the album Madness 2. Buckley subsequently resumed solo activity with Rocky Road in 1997 and its successor, RAW. He continues to perform extensively, while fresh compilations have heightened the Maytones’ visibility abroad.
Buckley reached Kingston ahead of his partner and began providing backing vocals for Trevor Lloyd, an association that apparently led to an introduction from Lloyd to Alvin Ranglin. Although precise dates remain unclear, late 1967 marks the most reliable estimate for the duo’s formation and for Grant’s own arrival in the capital. During 1968 they cut several singles that Buckley produced himself; these appeared under his name alone, mostly on the VB pre imprint, yet none made an impact. Ranglin then assumed the roles of manager and producer. Reports suggesting he had once sung with the group and turned it into a trio have never been substantiated.
That same year Ranglin reactivated his GG’s label, immediately improving the Maytones’ prospects. Their first release on the revived imprint, “Billy Goat,” attracted notice, but “Loving Reggae” delivered their initial chart success before 1968 ended.
Throughout the classic reggae period the pair issued a steady stream of popular 45s. Ranglin’s own rural tastes and the relaxed grooves of his GG’s All Stars complemented the duo’s sound, while Buckley’s gift for distilling everyday romantic or cultural themes into concise, emotionally direct lyrics proved especially effective. Their unadorned high-and-low harmony blend, though straightforward, connected strongly with local listeners.
The year 1970 yielded the major hit “Funny Man” and further successes with “Serious Love,” “Gold on Your Dress,” “Bowee Wowee,” and “Cecilia.” Additional strong sellers followed in 1971, among them the cultural numbers “Cleanliness,” “Bongo Man Rise,” “Wha Nu Dead,” and “Little Boy Blue,” the last of which Judge Dread later adapted into a hit of his own.
Another round of standout singles arrived in 1972—“Born to Be Loved,” “As Long as You Love Me,” “If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want to Be Right),” “Brown Girl,” and “Hands and Feet”—with “All Over the World, People Are Changing” appearing the next year.
The Maytones seemed well positioned for the roots era, particularly after “Madness” scored in Britain in 1976, yet their recording pace slowed as Ranglin devoted attention to other artists. Nevertheless, tracks such as “Africa We Want to Go,” “Holy Ground,” “One Way,” “Do Good,” “Come Along,” “Judgement Day,” and “Money Worries”—the last featured on the Rockers soundtrack—remain significant.
Their first long-player, named after the British hit, came out in 1976; Greatest Hits followed in 1977; and both Boat to Zion and the Buckley–Ranglin co-production One Way appeared in 1979. All sold well in Jamaica and within overseas West Indian communities, but wider international breakthrough eluded them. That shortfall prompted the duo’s dissolution when Buckley emigrated to Canada in 1981.
A short-lived reunion in 1994 produced the album Madness 2. Buckley subsequently resumed solo activity with Rocky Road in 1997 and its successor, RAW. He continues to perform extensively, while fresh compilations have heightened the Maytones’ visibility abroad.
Albums
Reggae Originals: Dobby Dobson, Derrick Harriot and The Maytones
2023
Reggae Originals: Clancy Eccles, Dave Barker and The Maytones
2021
Soild Gold Showcase
2008
Singles
