Rocksteady pioneer Alton Ellis is to be inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame (IRAWMA) this year. Ellis grew up in Trenchtown, one of the poorest areas of Kingston, Jamaica. Originally part of the Alton & Eddie duo with his Eddie Perkins, he had his first hit with the song "Muriel."

Teaming with the Treasure Isle based trio The Flames, Ellis scored his first solo hit with the song "Dance Crasher" which called for an end to the rampant violence that permeated Jamaica's dance halls at the time. His second single, "Get Ready - Rock Steady," is widely considered the first Rocksteady recording, due to the bass player's inability to keep up with the ska beat. Ellis is best known for 1966's "Girl I've Got a Date."

The induction is set to happen at the Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary ceremony at the Apollo Theatre, Harlem, New York, on May 6th.