View source for Sattalites

{{Short description|Canadian reggae group}}
{{distinguish|The Skatalites}}
{{refimprove|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Sattalites
| background        = group_or_band
| image             = {{Multiple images | direction         = horizontal | total_width       = 400 | image1            = Sattalites 01.jpg | image2            = Sattalites 02.jpg }}
| landscape         = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| caption           = The Sattalites performing in 2018
| origin            = [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada
| genre             = [[Reggae]], Risqué Disque, Intrepid Records, [[Solid Gold Records]]
| years_active      = {{start date|1981}}–present
| label             = [[Axe Records]]
| website           = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| current_members   = *Fergus Hambleton
*David Fowler
*Bruce McGillivray
*Junior McPherson
*Rick Morrison
| past_members      = *Jo Jo Bennett (died 2021)<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jo-jo-bennett-reggae-musician-sattalites-death-1.6131533 'Big Canadian reggae lion' Jo Jo Bennett dies at 81]</ref>
*Bruce 'Preacher' Robinson (died December 5, 2011)<ref name="Wilson" />
*Felix Taylor
*Neville Francis
*Neil Chapman
}}
'''The Sattalites''' are a Canadian [[reggae]] group. Founded in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]] as a [[music school]] in 1981, the band has become one of the most successful Canadian reggae ensembles.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Jason |title=King Alpha's Song in a Strange Land: The Roots and Routes of Canadian Reggae |date=2020 |publisher=UBC Press |isbn=978-0-7748-6230-1 |page=230 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AC_TDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA230 |language=en}}</ref> They signed with the Canadian [[record label]] [[Solid Gold Records]] early in their career and have been with them ever since. Their style has been described as a radio-friendly combination of [[lover's rock]] and [[dancehall]].<ref name="Wilson" />
==History==
Founding members Fergus Hambleton and Jo Jo Bennett first met as backing musicians, supporting the trio of [[Tony Tuff]], [[Cornell Campbell]] and [[George Faith]] in concert. Hambleton had previous played horns live for other top reggae artists such as [[Horace Andy]] and [[Barrington Levy]].<ref>{{Cite news|title = Fergus Hambleton from the Sattalites: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1530|url = https://www.torontomike.com/2024/08/fergus-hambleton-from-the-sattalites-toronto-miked-podcast-episode-1530/|website = TorontoMike.com|date = 2024-08-02|access-date = 2024-08-05}}</ref>
The pair began performing together, mixing Bennett's instrumentals with Hambleton's smooth [[alto]] voice to create the Sattalites' sound. In tandem, the band started as a teaching group who opened the Sattalites Music School on a pay-what-you-can basis to spread their influence in 1981. The Sattalites consisted of various types of students from the school who wanted a sense of live performing. By 1982, the Sattalites had melded into a collaboration of [[musician]]s from talented beginners to experienced pros, some of whom still perform.
They became very well known for their enthusiastic live performances which initiated their extensive touring across Canada and the [[United States]]. In 1987, the Satallites performed at the inaugural edition [[Edgefest]], presented by Toronto radio station [[CFNY-FM]]. The band were invited back to play at Edgefest in 1990 as well.
The Sattalites were the only Canadian band ever invited to play at [[Jamaica]]'s "[[Sunsplash]]", playing before 25,000 people. They also performed at the 1993/94 World Skiing Championship in [[Whistler, British Columbia]].
As two-time [[Juno Award|Juno]] winners and winner of the Best R&B/Reggae Recording at the 1988 [[CASBY Awards]], the Sattalites are one of Canada's longest standing reggae groups.{{refneeded|date=April 2020}}
==Members==
Fergus Hambleton has been the lead vocalist of the Sattalites since the band's beginning. He also plays the [[guitar]], [[alto saxophone]] and the [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]] and has played in other bands including [[A Passing Fancy]] and the [[Ginger Group]].
Vocalist Jo Jo Bennett, a founding member of the group, also played the [[flugelhorn]] and [[percussion]]. The other six members are David Fowler (keyboards), Bruce McGillivray (bass), Neville Francis(rhythm guitar, backup, and lead vocals), Junior McPherson (drums and percussion), Rick Morrison (saxophone) and Bruce 'Preacher' Robinson (piano and vocals). During the 1980s and 1990s, Felix Taylor played [[trombone]] and sang [[background vocals]]. Neil Chapman was a member for their first three albums, playing lead guitar, and has also guested on later recordings as well live on stage.
Currently, the Sattalites perform in a more "[[big band]]" style, appearing at various festivals and theatres in southern Ontario and elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Fergus Hambleton from the Sattalites: Toronto Mike'd Podcast Episode 1530|url = https://www.torontomike.com/2024/08/fergus-hambleton-from-the-sattalites-toronto-miked-podcast-episode-1530/|website = TorontoMike.com|date = 2024-08-02|access-date = 2024-08-05}}</ref>
==Discography==
;Albums
* 1985 ''Sattalites''
* 1987 ''Live via Sattalites''
* 1989 ''Miracles''
* 1993 ''All Over the World''
* 1995 ''Now and Forever''
* 2003 ''Reggaefication''
;Singles
* "Wild"
* “[[Gimme Little Sign|Gimme Some Kinda Sign]]” (#44 Can Pop / #9 Can AC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.8655.pdf| title=RPM Top 100 Singles - June 4, 1988}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.8619.pdf| title=RPM Top 30 AC - June 11, 1988}}</ref>
* “[[Too Late to Turn Back Now (song)|Too Late to Turn Back Now]]” (#17 Can AC / #1 CanCon)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.9201.pdf| title=RPM Top 40 AC - March 3, 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f2/nlc008388.6672.pdf| title=RPM Top 10 CanCon - December 16, 1989}}</ref>
* “Now and Forever”
* “I’m Gonna Be The One”
* “Miracles”
* "The Reason Why"
* “Rendezvous”
* “Walkin On Sunshine”
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080724091259/http://www.solidgoldrecords.com/sg_cat_sattalites.html The Sattalites catalog at Solid Gold Records]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080821100318/http://www.canadianreggaeworld.com/sattalites.htm The Sattalites at Canadian Reggae World]
* [http://www.myspace.com/sattalites.htm The Sattalites at MySpace]
* [http://www.fergushambleton.com/bio.htm]{{Dead link|date=February 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090101233439/http://www.yorku.ca/aconline/music/reggae.html]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080513044900/http://www.casablancamedia.com/whats_new8.htm]
* {{Discogs artist|The Sattalites}}
* {{Imdb name|id=3625147}}
[[Category:Canadian reggae musical groups]]
[[Category:Canadian ska groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Toronto]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1981]]
[[Category:1981 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Juno Award for Reggae Recording of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Axe Records artists]]