The Blueprint of Reggae
Leroy Sibbles Looks Back on Six Decades of Rhythm
By Cara Eyre
It is nearly impossible to separate the history of reggae from the heavy, driving basslines of Leroy Sibbles. As a foundational session bassist and arranger at Clement "Coxsone" Dodd’s famed Studio One, and the legendary lead vocalist of The Heptones, Sibbles quite literally laid down the blueprint for a genre.
Now, with six decades of music behind him, the reggae icon is preparing to bring his timeless sound back to Canada, looking forward to taking the stage at the Calgary ReggaeFest.
Speaking with Sibbles today, it is easy to become momentarily starstruck. His music is deeply woven into the global cultural fabric. Yet, the artist himself remains remarkably grounded, viewing his monumental contributions to reggae not as a grand master plan, but as a natural extension of his daily life. Music, he explains, wasn't something he decided to pursue: As Leroy said, “ it was simply always a part of me.”
The Studio One Days
When asked if he knew he was inventing the blueprint for reggae during those prolific late 1960s sessions at Studio One, Sibbles is characteristically humble.
"No, no," he laughs. "I was doing this, and I didn't see myself as doing all this."
At the time, the focus was entirely on the music and the moment. The sound system culture in Jamaica was being optimized to reach the world, and Studio One was the undisputed hub of that creative explosion. For Sibbles, the goal was always innovation. "I would think up some brand new style that nobody ever brought," he recalls.
Decades later, those styles continue to form the backbone of modern music. Countless young artists today still sample, loop, and ride the rhythms Sibbles created. When he hears his foundational basslines echoing through contemporary tracks, his reaction is one of deep gratitude.
"I just love it," he says warmly. "I have more appreciation of what I've done back in the late '60s. I accept this."
For Sibbles, the most rewarding aspect of his legacy isn't the fame or the accolades, it is the impact he has had on his peers. When asked about his greatest personal development over his long career, his focus immediately shifts to the community of artists he helped shape. "It's the enjoyment," he says, "because it has touched so many other musicians. It improved their careers, their musical ability, and variety."
From Trench Town to Canada
Sibbles' roots are firmly planted in Trench Town, where his earliest musical memories were forged in marathon, late night rehearsal sessions.
"We rented a room because we needed the space," he remembers fondly. "We'd start at maybe 9 o'clock and then we didn't realize it. We'd look at the time, and it was 2:00 in the morning. Those were the best times. The people loved what they wanted, and we were ready."
That dedication eventually took him far beyond Jamaica. In the early 1970s, Sibbles moved to Canada, beginning a pivotal new chapter in his life and career. His arrival in the country wasn't initially a calculated professional move, but rather a matter of the heart.
"It was a boy and girl thing," he laughs, noting that he had decided to stop in Canada after wrapping up a tour. Though the relationship eventually ran its course, his bond with the country remained unbreakable. He settled in Toronto, bringing his deep reggae roots with him and helping to cultivate a thriving local scene. "I created a new scene there, musically," he notes proudly.
Today, Sibbles frequently returns to perform in his adopted second home. He recently played in Montreal and is looking forward to taking the stage at Calgary ReggaeFest. For him, festivals are about more than just playing the hits; they are an opportunity to connect and share the history of the music.
"I'm looking forward to it," he says of the upcoming Calgary show. "It's a part of the show right now, it's an education, too."
Six Decades of Shaping Culture
As our conversation winds down, I ask the reggae legend what he hopes people feel most when they hear his voice today, after over half a century of shaping the culture. His ultimate message is crystal clear: unity.
Through all the eras, the tours, and the timeless basslines, Sibbles just wants to see people come together. "We all sing together," he says simply. His music has done exactly that. It has crossed oceans, bridged generations, and soundtracked the lives of millions. As he prepares to bring that unifying energy to Calgary, Leroy Sibbles remains exactly what he has always been: a visionary musician who just wanted to make people move.