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Book: The Ultimate Guide to Great Reggae

Chapter: The Abyssinians

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.25471

Blurb:

Calling themselves after an earlier name for Ethiopia, vocal group The Abyssinians
consisted of singer Bernard Collins and brothers Donald and Linford Manning.
Collins was raised in Saint Catherine Parish and was such a fan of American
music, particularly Elvis, that he was called “Presley” by his friends. Not only did
his recorded work not sound like his American idols, but he would help launch
a new quintessentially Jamaican sound. He moved to Kingston and hooked up
with the Mannings in Trench Town, forming The Abyssinians. Along with Burning
Spear and Bob Marley & The Wailers, they would give birth to roots reggae. And
they did so with their very first record.

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