Pluto Shervington

Leighton Keith Shervington was born in Saint Andrew Parish, Kingston, Jamaica, on 13 August 1950.{{cite web | title=Pluto Shervington | website=Music Unites Jamaica Foundation | url=https://www.musicunitesjamaica.com/pluto-shervington.html | access-date=23 January 2024}}

In 1966, at the age of 16, Shervington joined a band called The Presidents, leaving a year later to join The Hurricanes. He then moved on to join the showband Tomorrow's Children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2024/01/20/news/reggae-singer-pluto-shervington-dead-at-73.html|title=Reggae Singer Pluto Shervington Dead At 73|first=Claude|last=Mills|website=Dancehallmag.com|date=20 January 2024|access-date=22 January 2024}}Larkin, Colin (1998), The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}} Inspired by the success of Ernie Smith's "Duppy or a Gunman" and Tinga Stewart's "Play de Music", both delivered in heavy patois, he recorded in a similar style "Ram Goat Liver", inspiring Lee "Scratch" Perry to produce a popular version with Jimmy Riley.{{Cite web|title=Pluto Shervington|url=https://trojanrecords.com/artist/pluto-shervington/|access-date=3 November 2021|website=Trojan Records|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103113722/https://trojanrecords.com/artist/pluto-shervington/|url-status=live}} In 1972, after the disbanding of Tomorrow's Children, Shervington started a business called 'Sound Associates Limited', located in New Kingston, a recording studio which provided radio and television services for advertising agencies. He also wrote and produced jingles for most of the major advertising agencies, using a 16-track reel-to-reel recorder and a 24-track mixing board.

The follow-up single, "Dat" – about a Rastafarian trying to buy pork (without naming it aloud), contrary to his faith, so that he can afford marijuana – achieved considerable chart success internationally in 1976, reaching the number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. On 19 February 1976, Shervington appeared on video, performing the song, on BBC's Top of the Pops{{Cite web|url=https://thetvdb.com/series/top-of-the-pops-uk/episodes/5845313|title=Top of the Pops - 19 February 1976|website=Thetvdb.com|access-date=20 January 2024}} and appeared again later on 4 March.{{Cite web|url=https://thetvdb.com/series/top-of-the-pops-uk/episodes/5845315|title=Top of the Pops - 4th March 1976|website=Thetvdb.com}} Trojan Records capitalized on this success by reissuing his first single, "Ram Goat Liver", which peaked just outside the top 40 in the UK.{{cite web |author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pluto-shervington-mn0000293679 |title=Pluto Shervington | Biography |website=AllMusic |date= |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203134919/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/pluto-shervington-mn0000293679 |url-status=live }}

"Your Honour" was another notable single for Shervington, a song in which a man is caught naked in a woman's closet by an angry husband. "I Man Born Ya" one of his most enduring hits, was recorded at Federal Records (now Tuff Gong) with musicians Val Douglas (bass), Willie Lindo (guitar), Wya Lindo (organ), Robbie Lyn (piano) and Mikey Boo (drums).

He also succeeded as a record producer, overseeing the creation of the 1975 song "Hooray Festival" performed by Roman Stewart, and "Midnight Rider" by Paul Davidson, which peaked at number 10 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1975. He co-produced "‘Dancing to My Own Heartbeat", a disco number one hit in Jamaica.

Shervington moved to Miami, Florida, in the summer of 1977.{{Cite web|url=https://arabustarecords.bandcamp.com/album/rhythm-of-the-city|title=Rhythm Of The City, by Pluto Shervington|website=Arabusta Records|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-date=8 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708151543/https://arabustarecords.bandcamp.com/album/rhythm-of-the-city|url-status=live}} He continued to record, and reached the UK top 20 again when "Your Honour", originally recorded in 1975{{cite web |url=http://www.45cat.com/biglabel/kr |title=KR – UK – Gallery |website=45cat.com |date= |access-date=17 March 2014 |archive-date=17 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317195041/http://www.45cat.com/biglabel/kr |url-status=live }} but never previously released, was issued in early 1982, together with a new recording "No Honour Among Tiefs". In 1997, as a guest of honour on Ernie Smith's celebration of 30 years in the business, Shervington performed alongside Ken Lazarus and the surviving members of the Now Generation band at the Pegasus Hotel in Jamaica. Again, in 2001, alongside Ernie Smith, Shervington performed together with the music veteran Lloyd Charmers at the Heineken Startime events for an Independence Showcase, which also included performances from the Abyssinians and Eric Donaldson.

Shervington often performed live in Miami, and periodically returned to his homeland for performances. {{As of|2007}} he played solo at Bahama Breeze in Kendall, Florida, and every other Sunday at Black Point Marina in Cutler Bay, with a five-piece band.{{Cite web |date=16 July 2015 |title=Reggae pioneer Shervington in action on Saturday |url=http://www.guardian.co.tt/article-6.2.366935.f40a73aeb4 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=www.guardian.co.tt}} He appeared at the St. Kitts Music Festival on 22 June 2007, sharing the bill with Steel Pulse and Sean Paul, among others.{{cite web |url=http://www.sknvibes.com/Entertainment/News.cfm/595 |title=Entertainment |publisher=SKNVibes |date= |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928122245/http://www.sknvibes.com/Entertainment/News.cfm/595 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/allwoman/2024/01/19/pluto-shervington-died/|title=Pluto Shervington has died|first=Howard|last=Campbell|date=19 January 2024|website=Jamaicaobserver.com}}

In addition to his work as a singer, Shervington gained a reputation as a talented bass guitarist, and as a recording engineer, notably engineering Little Roy's 1974 album, Tafari Earth Uprising.{{cite web |url=http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/747 |title=Artist : Pluto Shervington |publisher=Roots Archives |date=1 December 2008 |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070706233503/http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/747 |archive-date=6 July 2007 |url-status=dead }} From 2018, when not on tour, Shervington performed solo several times a week at the Bahama Breeze.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bahamabreeze.com/live-music/fl/miami-restaurant/3012|title=Live Music – Miami, FL {{!}} Bahama Breeze Caribbean Restaurant|website=Bahamabreeze.com|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054603/https://www.bahamabreeze.com/live-music/fl/miami-restaurant/3012|url-status=live}} His repertoire covered Bob Marley songs, a staple with the American audience, as well as other material ranging from the Eagles' "Hotel California" to calypso songs.{{Cite web|url=https://jamaica-star.com/article/entertainment/20180817/weh-dem-pluto-shervington-still-flies-jamaican-flag-high|title=Weh Dem Up To?: Pluto Shervington still flies the Jamaican flag high|first=Mel|last=Cooke|date=17 August 2018|website=Jamaica-star.com}}

Shervington died at a hospital in Miami, Florida, on 19 January 2024, at the age of 73, from pneumonia-related complications.{{Cite web|url=https://our.today/reggae-hitmaker-pluto-shervington-dies-aged-73/|title=Reggae hitmaker Pluto Shervington dies aged 73|date=21 January 2024|website=Our.today|access-date=22 January 2024}} He had been hospitalized since the previous day.[https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20240119/ram-goat-liver-singer-pluto-shervington-has-died 'Ram Goat Liver' singer Pluto Shervington has died], Jamaican-gleaner.com, 19 January 2024. He had four sons, two daughters and two grandchildren.{{Cite web|url=https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/i-man-born-yah-singer-pluto-shervington-has-died|title='I Man Born Yah' singer Pluto Shervington has died | Loop Jamaica|website=Loop News|date=19 January 2024}}

In 2004, Shervington was awarded the "Living Legend" award at King's House, Jamaica, along with Mighty Sparrow, Ernie Smith, David Rudder, Ken Lazarus and others. The band Pluto & Company was twice the recipient of the Caribbean Music Festival award for Florida's best Caribbean dance band.

{{div col}}

• Ramgoat (1974){{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=364493|title=Pluto Shervington – Ramgoat [Vinyl] |website=Sputnikmusic.com}}
• Greatest Reggae Hits (1974){{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=364494|title=Pluto Shervington – Greatest Reggae Hits [Vinyl] |website=Sputnikmusic.com}}
• Pluto (1975){{Cite web|url=https://www.soundcentralstore.com/en/product/pluto-28397|title=Sound Central | Pluto Shervington – Pluto|website=Soundcentralstore.com}}
• Play Mas' (1976){{Cite web|url=https://www.musicunitesjamaica.com/pluto-shervington.html|title=Pluto Shervington|website=Music Unites Jamaica Foundation|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-date=4 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604074744/https://www.musicunitesjamaica.com/pluto-shervington.html|url-status=live}}
• Ire Mas Rockers Carnival (1981){{Cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/soundoff.php?albumid=364497|title=Pluto Shervington – Ire Mas Rockers Carnival [Vinyl] |website=Sputnikmusic.com}}
• Again (1982)
• Reggae Fever (1982){{Cite web|url=https://www.soundcentralstore.com/en/product/reggae-fever-37049|title=Sound Central | Pluto Shervington – Reggae Fever|website=Soundcentralstore.com}}
• Rhythm of the City (1990){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rhythm-of-the-city-mw0003926228|title=Pluto Shervington – Rhythm of the City|website=AllMusic}}
• Second Wind (2008){{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/second-wind-mw0001731490 |title=Second Wind – Pluto Shervington |website=AllMusic |date= |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-date=3 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203111956/https://www.allmusic.com/album/second-wind-mw0001731490 |url-status=live }}
• I Man Bitter (2012){{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-man-bitter-mw0003747653|title=Pluto Shervington – I Man Bitter|website=AllMusic}}

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• "Dat" 1976) – UK Number 6{{Cite web|url=https://soundsoftheuniverse.com/product/pluto-shervington-d-a-t|title=Pluto Shervington – D A T | Sounds of the Universe|website=Soundsoftheuniverse.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pluto-shervington-dat/|title=DAT|date=7 February 1976|website=Official Charts|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119235850/https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pluto-shervington-dat/|url-status=live}}
• "Ram Goat Liver" (1976) – UK Number 43{{cite web |url=https://mobile.jamaicagleaner.com/20090301/ent/ent3.php |title=STORY OF THE SONG: 'Ram Goat Liver' makes mannish water ... And Pluto Shervington's first hit |first=Mel |last=Cooke |date=1 March 2009 |website=Jamaicagleaner.com |access-date=19 January 2024 |archive-date=5 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605003334/http://mobile.jamaicagleaner.com/20090301/ent/ent3.php |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pluto-ram-goat-liver/|title=RAM GOAT LIVER|date=10 April 1976|website=Official Charts|access-date=19 January 2024|archive-date=19 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119235849/https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pluto-ram-goat-liver/|url-status=live}}
• "Your Honour" (1982) – UK Number 19{{cite book

| first= David

| last= Roberts

| year= 2006

| title= British Hit Singles & Albums

| edition= 19th

| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited

| location= London

| isbn= 1-904994-10-5

| page= 496}}

• List of reggae musicians

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070706233503/http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/747 Discography] at roots-archives.com
• {{discogs artist|Pluto Shervington}}
• {{AllMusic|id=mn0000293679|title=Pluto Shervington}}
• [https://www.45cat.com/artist/pluto Pluto Shervington] at 45cat.com

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shervington, Pluto}}

Category:1950 births

Category:2024 deaths

Category:Singers from Kingston, Jamaica

Category:Jamaican reggae singers

Category:Jamaican male songwriters

Category:Jamaican record producers

Category:Trojan Records artists

Category:Jamaican expatriates in the United States

Category:Jamaican audio engineers

Category:20th-century Jamaican male singers

Category:20th-century songwriters

Category:21st-century Jamaican male singers

Category:21st-century songwriters

Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Florida