Roy Shirley

Roy Rushton Shirley (July 18, 1944 – July 4, 2008), also known as King Roy Shirley and The High Priest, was a Jamaican singer whose influential career spanned the ska, rocksteady, and reggae eras. Born and raised in the vibrant Trench Town district of Kingston, Shirley began his musical journey performing in local talent contests.

Shirley's early recordings for producer Simeon L. Smith remained unreleased. However, his path soon led him to work with Leslie Kong, a prominent Chinese-Jamaican music producer. In 1965, Kong released Shirley's debut single, "Oh Shirley." Co-arranged with his friend Jimmy Cliff, the song became a ska hit in Jamaica, marking Shirley's arrival on the music scene.