Everett Morton
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Everett Morton
| image =
| caption =
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| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{Birth year|1950}}
| birth_place = Saint Kitts, West Indies
| death_date ={{death date and age|2021|10|09|1950|mf=yes}}
| instrument = {{hlist|drums|percussion}}
| genre = {{hlist|New wave|ska|post-punk|Dub}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Drummer|musician}}
| years_active = 1978–2019
| label = {{hlist|2 Tone Records|Go-Feet Records}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|The Beat|The International Beat}}
}}
Everett Morton (1950-October 9, 2021) Was a West Indie-Born British ska drummer best known for his work with the band the Beat. Following the breakup of the band in 1983, Morton joined fellow Beat saxophonist Saxa, guitarist/vocalist Tony Beet, General Public keyboardist Mickey Billingham, and others to form the International Beat; sometimes featuring Beat frontman Ranking Roger as a guest vocalist.{{cite web |last1=dvoodoo |title=International Beat |url=https://www.last.fm/music/International+Beat/+wiki |website=Last FM |publisher=Last FM |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=6 July 2009}}
Pete Chambers, curator of the Coventry Music Museum described Morton as the 'engine room of the Ska band': “He was a true gentleman, gently spoken, charming, always supportive and always there for people...His drumming was incredible gracing top ten charts hits such as ‘Tears of A Clown’, ‘Mirror in The Bathroom’ and ‘Can’t Get used to losing You’ and top ten albums: ‘I Just Can’t Stop It’ and ‘Wha’ppen’.”{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Tristan |title=CoventryObserver |url=https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/tribute-paid-to-the-beat-drummer-everett-morton-who-has-passed-away/ |website=CoventryObserver |publisher=CoventryObserver |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=9 October 2021}}
Career
After moving to Birmingham in the 1960s, Morton went to drum school and joined his cousin's band. 15 years of drumming in reggae and soul bands honed Morton into a deeply coveted percussionist in the Birmingham music scene.{{cite web |last1=Helman |first1=Peter |title=English Beat Drummer Everett Morton Dead At 71 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2163497/english-beat-drummer-everett-morton-dead-at-71/news/ |website=Stereogum |publisher=Stereogum |access-date=3 July 2025|date=9 October 2021}} On recommendation from Steele's psychiatric hospital colleague, Morton joined Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger, and Andy Cox to form The Beat in 1978.
Morton is described as having a frantic style, weaving a tapestry of intricate new rhythms by playing the entirety of his drum kit. Morton's distinctive style was additionally flavoured by his approach to his drum kit, playing a right-handed drum kit setup it left-handed. Wakeling noted the skill with which Morton held his bandmates: “He’s such a strong player and he was so much better than the rest of us when we began that if he thought we were going wrong he’d just stop us dead with a roll – we’d stand there open-mouthed until he let us back in.”.{{cite web |last1=Wilkes |first1=Emma |title=Everett Morton, Drummer Of The Beat, Dies At 71 |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/everett-morton-drummer-of-the-beat-dies-at-71/ |website=udiscovermusic |publisher=udiscovermusic |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=10 October 2021}} Over their first five years, the Beat toured internationally with The Clash, The Police, R.E.M., and David Bowie.{{cite web |last1=Rapp |first1=Allison |title=The Beat Drummer Everett Morton Dead at 71 |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/beat-drummer-everett-morton-dead/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |publisher=UCR Classic Rock and Culture |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=9 October 2021}}
Following the breakup of the band in 1983, Morton joined fellow Beat saxophonist Saxa, guitarist/vocalist Tony Beet, General Public keyboardist Mickey Billingham, and others to form the International Beat; sometimes featuring Beat frontman Ranking Roger as a guest vocalist who also produced their album The Hitting Line in 1990.
Personal life
Born in St Kitts in 1950, Morton moved to Birmingham in the 1960s.{{cite web |last1=Aubrey |first1=Elizabeth |title=Influential ska drummer Everett Morton of The Beat has died |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/influential-ska-drummer-everett-morton-of-the-beat-has-died-3066358 |website=New Musical Express |publisher=New Musical Express |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=9 October 2021}}
In the 2010s, Morton broke his knee, preventing him from playing for several years as it healed.{{cite web |last1=Probert |first1=Sarah |title=Drummer goes back to his roots with a bang |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/new-ska-group-beat-goes-6920029 |website=BirminghamLive |publisher=BirminghamLive |access-date=3 July 2025 |date=8 April 2014}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{The Beat}}
{{General Public}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morton, Everett}}
Category:The Beat (British band) members
Category:Black British rock musicians
Category:British male drummers