Artist
The Paragons
The Paragons is a reggae artist from Jamaica formed in 1964. 33 releases are catalogued on Riffiter.
Reggae · Jamaica · Best reggae albums
- 33
- Releases
- 1959–2026
- Active years
- 1964
- Formed
Discography
22
Most popular
On the Beach With the Paragons
2015
Heaven & Earth
1996
Riding High With The Paragons
-
Golden Hits
-
Sly & Robbie Presents Memories by the Score
2026
The Paragons / The Paragons In Dub
2015
Kneel And Pray
2014
Just A Memory
2014
Full Metal Jacket
2011
Original Paragons At Treasure Isle
2009
The Paragons - Sings The Beatles and Bob Dylan
2009
Golden Oldies
2007
The Legendary Paragons
2006
The Paragons' Talk To The People
2006
The Paragons Selected Hits
2006
The Best of the Paragons
1993
My Best Girl Wears My Crown
1992
Return
1977
On the Beach
1967
On the Beach: The Anthology
1967
The Paragons vs. The Harptones
1964
The Paragons Meet the Jesters
1959
Singles & EPs
11
The Maddening Crowd
Single · 2014
Florence
Single · 2013
Blue Velvet
Single · 2012
Florence - Single
Single · 2012
Wedding Bells
Single · 2012
The Tide Is High
Single · 2011
We Were Meant To Be / Acappella
Single · 2011
Blackbird Singing
Single · 2011
Wedding Bells / Blue Velvet
Single · 2010
The Paragons' Mother Nature
EP · 2006
Abba
Single · 1967
Upcoming shows
Community
More about The Paragons
About
The Paragons were a ska and rocksteady vocal group from Kingston, Jamaica, initially active in the 1960s. Their most famous track was "The Tide Is High", written by band member John Holt. The Paragons were originally Garth "Tyrone" Evans, songwriter Bob Andy, Junior Menz, and Leroy Stamp. In 1964 Stamp was replaced by singer and songwriter John Holt, and Howard Barrett replaced Menz. The early Paragons sound used the vocal harmonies of Jamaican groups of the early 1960s. Beginning in 1964, they recorded on the Treasure Isle record label with record producer Duke Reid, songs such as "Memories by the Score", "On the Beach", "Only a Smile" and "Wear You to the Ball", which were later covered by UB40, Horace Andy, Dennis Brown, Massive Attack, and others. Other recordings included "Man Next Door" aka "Quiet Place"/"I've Got to Get Away" (1968) and "Happy Go Lucky Girl".
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The Paragons' recordings, including the widely covered "The Tide Is High" from 1967, written by Holt, and featuring the violin of "White Rum" Raymond, are among the highlights of Jamaican popular music. "The Tide Is High" was taken to the top of the UK and US charts by Blondie in 1980; while Atomic Kitten's cover version also topped the UK Singles Chart in 2002. Holt left to pursue a successful solo career in 1970. Following Holt's departure, the group recorded briefly with female vocalist Roslyn Sweat as Roslyn Sweat & The Paragons and The Paragons (featuring Roslyn Sweat). Evans too, recording as Tyrone Evans and as Don Evans, enjoyed an albeit less notable solo career, making several recordings while with The Paragons and after the group disbanded. The group reformed in the late 1970s and released further albums in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Evans died in 2000, and Holt in October 2014.
The Paragons in brief
- How many The Paragons releases are on Riffiter?
- 33 releases are catalogued, spanning 1959 to 2026.
- When was The Paragons formed?
- The Paragons formed in 1964, in Jamaica.
- What genre is The Paragons?
- The Paragons is catalogued under Reggae.
- What is the most recent The Paragons release on Riffiter?
- Sly & Robbie Presents Memories by the Score, released in 2026.