Initially formed in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1962 by brothers Sydney and Derrick Crooks and their friend Winston Hewitt, this seminal reggae vocal trio relocated to the United Kingdom in 1970, where they became commercial trailblazers for the genre.
The group bridged the gap between rocksteady and reggae, achieving global reach by establishing a massive fan base in the UK. They were notably popular within the British working-class skinhead and mod subcultures of the era.
Though the group went through early personnel shifts in the 1960s, their definitive, hit-making trio consisted of co-founder Sydney Crooks, Jackie Robinson and George Agard (also known as George Dekker, half-brother of reggae star Desmond Dekker).
Major hits included Long Shot Kick de Bucket (1969), written and produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry, Let Your Yeah Be Yeah (1971), written by Jimmy Cliff, and Give and Take (1972).
Looking to move their sound into a smoother, soul-driven musical direction, The Pioneers teamed up in 1976 with famed musician and producer Eddy Grant for an album titled Feel The Rhythm, released under Mercury Records.
Singles like Broken Man and My Good Friend James earned critical praise, but the stylistic shift failed to find commercial success.
Disheartened by low sales, the band split up in the late 1970s.
The group officially reformed in 1999 and continued touring internationally and appearing at major international reggae festivals.
Sydney Crooks
Jackie Robinson
George Agard (Dekker)
Derrick Crooks
Winston Hewitt
Glen Adams
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Though the group went through early personnel shifts in the 1960s, their definitive, hit-making trio consisted of co-founder Sydney Crooks, Jackie Robinson and George Agard (also known as George Dekker, half-brother of reggae star Desmond Dekker).
