The Ethiopians was an important band in the evolution of Reggae Music. Founded in 1966, the band's sound was imposing and full of combinations. Originally, the Ethiopians was a trio composed of Leonard "Sparrow" Dillon, Stephen Taylor and Aston Morris. Dillon was the founding member. Around 1964, Dillon's new friend Peter Tosh helped launch his solo career, with none other than Lee Perry and Coxsone Dodd as producers.
Dillon had released only one hit called "Ice Water" when he heard Taylor and Morris singing on a street corner and invited them to provide backing vocals for him. From there, they decided to pursue their own career. When Dillon suggested they all start recording together, Taylor expressed interest, while Morris, a songwriter and guitarist, was reluctant. He eventually agreed to what was discussed, and after much talk, Dillon took them to Studio One to record three songs, including "Live Good". Morris left after that.
The distinctive sound of the Ethiopians is characterized by sweetness, worked harmonies and a social stamp involving injustice and racism that pursued Africans since colonial times. Dillon wrote many songs and claimed that several were born from his own experience. He occasionally wrote love songs but never felt comfortable singing them. After the first recording session, the two had performed quite a bit and then Dillon returned to construction work for his last employer, Lee Robertson.
He heard Dillon singing one of his songs at work and loved it. Dillon convinced him he knew everything about recording and Lee agreed to finance a single. The result was "Train to Skaville", which became the Ethiopians' calling-card hit. It became so popular they had trouble producing records to meet demand. Among their greatest songs is "The Whip", the first reggae with percussion. They used three bottles to make "click" effects.
In 1968 they released the single "Everything Crash". The Ethiopians faced a severe financial crisis that led them to bankruptcy. With no royalties received and unable to afford recording, Taylor got a job at a gas station. One day in 1975, he was crossing the street and was hit by a Chevy pickup truck.
Taylor did not survive and died at only 31. Dillon and some friends were having a party at that moment, waiting for Taylor to return with drinks. The bad news shocked everyone, and Dillon stepped away from music for a while. Eventually, Dillon and Aston Morris reunited to revive the Ethiopians, recording and performing some shows in the 70s.