Does the name Locksley Gichie mean anything to you? What about Maurice Ellis or Bobby ‘Dego’ Davies? They didn’t mean anything to me but these men alongside Franklyn Dunn, Trevor Starr, Carl Levy and Winston Reedy were members of The Cimarons – the first British reggae band in the UK. From 1966 to mid-1970s, the Cimarons reigned in the reggae music genre.
If I am honest, reggae music was never my go to music of choice growing up but I was still aware of the various reggae artists and sound systems but The Cimarons was not a group I was familiar with. I have since learned that this group had a tremendous impact on the music industry. Their contribution is distinctive and can be heard on the tracks of a plethora of artists. So while you may not know their names, you will certainly appreciate their unique sound. This is why they were the sought after group and supported legends such as Bob Marley and Paul McCartney. They were the first reggae band to travel to Japan, Thailand and truly took reggae to new heights. The Cimarons (which means wild and free) were the spark that started a big flame and set the world ablaze with their music.
So why aren’t they up there like other groups? Did racism and exploitation play a role in hindering the success of this group? What happened to these pioneering men that contributed to British history?
J6 films and Margot films capture the story of The Cimarons in a new documentary called “Harder than the rock”. Named after one of their songs, this film is beautifully raw. It invites you into the lives of these young men who simply wanted to play music and touch the world. Taking you on their music journey, Harder than the Rock captures their innocence, friendship, humour and passion. You will laugh and maybe shed a tear or two but you will definitely remember the Cimarons and add them to your playlist!
There is a special screening at the Curzon Cinema in Soho with Don Letts and the Band with Q&A taking place on 5th October. Tickets are available from https://www.curzon.com/films/harder-than-the-rock/HO00005680/
The documentary is being shown at cinemas across the UK. To find out your nearest showing, visit the website https://www.harderthantherock.com/