The Upsetters

The Upsetters were one of the hottest, yet sorely undervalued and poorly chronicled, bands in R&B and rock history. They backed Little Richard on some of his singles, and were also featured on Don Covay's debut Atlantic single "Big Bop Bip" in 1958. Richard served as lead vocalist for some Upsetters singles issued on Gold Star in the early '60s, and the band's ranks included at times powerhouse saxophonist Grady Gaines, who also was featured as leader on some singles. They are not to be confused with the Jamaican Upsetters, who recorded for Lee "Scratch" Perry's Upsetter label, and whose ranks included Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Carlton Lloyd "Carly" Barrett. ~ Ron Wynn, Rovi