Winston Francis, born in 1948 in Kingston, Jamaica, is a renowned singer known for his contributions to the genres of rocksteady and reggae. His musical journey began in the 1960s after he moved to Miami at the age of 16, where he attended music school. Under the guidance of his teacher Chuck Bird, Francis performed with the Jackie Gleason Orchestra. He later joined Carlos Malcolm's Afro Jamaicans band, touring the US and the Caribbean.

In the late 1960s, Francis embarked on a solo career, recording for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label. His debut album, "Mr. Fix-It," was released in 1969, followed by "California Dreaming" in 1970, which featured backing vocals from Bob Marley and Bunny Wailer on the B-side track "Too Experienced." The title track of his second album gained recognition on BBC Radio 1.

Francis relocated to the UK in 1970, where he continued to perform and record, including a stint with EMI. After a hiatus from music during which he worked as a youth and social worker, he returned in the 1980s, collaborating with various artists and bands, including The Melodians and Trevor Star and the Skaticians. In the 1990s, he worked under the pseudonym King Cool with Dennis Bovell, releasing albums like "Ragga Love" and "Sweet Rock Steady."

His rendition of "Stand by Me" was a hit in France, selling over 90,000 copies. In the 2000s, he continued to release music and collaborate with other artists, maintaining his status as a respected figure in the reggae and rocksteady scenes.