Alton Nehemiah Ellis, born on September 1, 1938, in Kingston, Jamaica, was a pioneering Jamaican singer-songwriter renowned as the "Godfather of Rocksteady." He grew up in a musically inclined family in the Trenchtown area and learned to play the piano at a young age. Ellis began his career in the late 1950s as part of the duo Alton & Eddy with Eddy Parkins. Their 1959 hit "Muriel" marked the start of his illustrious career.

Ellis was a key figure in the transition from ska to rocksteady, a genre he helped popularize in the mid-1960s. His hits like "Girl I've Got a Date" and "Cry Tough" became anthems of the rocksteady era, characterized by their soulful vocals and poignant lyrics. His song "Get Ready - Rock Steady" is often cited as the first rocksteady track, which played a crucial role in shaping Jamaican music.

Throughout his career, Ellis was known for blending love songs with social and political commentary, addressing themes of class divides and Black identity pride. He recorded for major labels such as Studio One and Treasure Isle and later relocated to the United Kingdom, where he continued to influence the spread of reggae and rocksteady.

Ellis's extensive catalogue includes timeless songs like "I'm Still in Love with You," "Too Late to Turn Back Now," and "Breaking Up," which have left a lasting impact on various music genres. He was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame in 2006. Alton Ellis passed away on October 10, 2008, in London, England, leaving behind a legacy as one of Jamaica's most soulful and influential musical artists.