Phyllis Dillon – Jamaica’s Queen Of Soul

After bursting onto the Jamaican music scene towards in 1966, Phyllis Dillon cut a series of sublime singles for Duke Reid‘s Treasure Isle label, which quickly led to her assuming the mantle of the queen of the rock steady sound.

Over the ensuing years, she consistently turned out popular singles from for Reid‘s imprint, establishing a reputation as reggae’s premiere  female performer.

Yet, while still at the height of her success, she decided to turn her back on the music industry to focus on looking after her family, having moved to New York in 1967.

Tragically, on 15th April 2004, shortly before a long awaited return to the studio, she succumbed to the devastating effects of cancer, aged just 56,

In tribute to her life and musical career, Phyllis is this week’s Trojan Artist Of the Week, with a bio and spotify playlist highlighting the best of her Treasure Isle recordings availble in the Artists section of this website, which can be reached simply by clicking here.

In addition, next week, on 15th April 2017, there will be a celebration of her works courtesy of esteemed vocalist, Carroll Thompson who will be performing a selection of her songs on the Trojan Records Official Thames cruise, hosted by the London International Ska Festival.