The Gladiators

For over three decades, Albert Griffiths and his Gladiators have been a major force within Jamaican music. Born in 1946, in St. Elizabeth parish, he grew up in poverty in Trench Town, and trained as a mason. However, music beckoned, and linking with David Webber, brother of the popular Webber Sisters, the pair auditioned around the studios, but to no avail. Thus it was back to masonry, where Griffiths was now working alongside The Ethiopians' Leonard Dillon under a foreman, Leebert Robinson, also looking to enter the music industry. Griffiths convinced Robinson to fund a recording session; with The Supersonics providing accompaniment, The Ethiopians cut "Train to Skaville," backed by Griffiths' "You Are the Girl," credited to Al & the Ethiopians. "Train" was a smash, while "Girl" confirmed Griffiths' own potential.



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