Everett Morton

Everett Morton
Born1950 (1950)
Saint Kitts, West Indies
DiedOctober 9, 2021(2021-10-09) (aged 70–71)
Genres
Occupations
  • Drummer
  • musician
Instruments
  • drums
  • percussion
Years active1978–2019
Labels
Formerly of

Everett Morton (1950-October 9, 2021) Was a West Indie-Born British ska drummer best known for his work with the band the Beat. Following the breakup of the band in 1983, Morton joined fellow Beat saxophonist Saxa, guitarist/vocalist Tony Beet, General Public keyboardist Mickey Billingham, and others to form the International Beat; sometimes featuring Beat frontman Ranking Roger as a guest vocalist.[1]

Pete Chambers, curator of the Coventry Music Museum described Morton as the 'engine room of the Ska band': “He was a true gentleman, gently spoken, charming, always supportive and always there for people...His drumming was incredible gracing top ten charts hits such as ‘Tears of A Clown’, ‘Mirror in The Bathroom’ and ‘Can’t Get used to losing You’ and top ten albums: ‘I Just Can’t Stop It’ and ‘Wha’ppen’.”[2]

Career

After moving to Birmingham in the 1960s, Morton went to drum school and joined his cousin's band. 15 years of drumming in reggae and soul bands honed Morton into a deeply coveted percussionist in the Birmingham music scene.[3] On recommendation from Steele's psychiatric hospital colleague, Morton joined Dave Wakeling, Ranking Roger, and Andy Cox to form The Beat in 1978.[4]

Morton is described as having a frantic style, weaving a tapestry of intricate new rhythms by playing the entirety of his drum kit.[5] Morton's distinctive style was additionally flavoured by his approach to his drum kit, playing a right-handed drum kit setup it left-handed. Wakeling noted the skill with which Morton held his bandmates: “He’s such a strong player and he was so much better than the rest of us when we began that if he thought we were going wrong he’d just stop us dead with a roll – we’d stand there open-mouthed until he let us back in.”.[6] Over their first five years, the Beat toured internationally with The Clash, The Police, R.E.M., and David Bowie.[7]

Following the breakup of the band in 1983, Morton joined fellow Beat saxophonist Saxa, guitarist/vocalist Tony Beet, General Public keyboardist Mickey Billingham, and others to form the International Beat; sometimes featuring Beat frontman Ranking Roger as a guest vocalist who also produced their album The Hitting Line in 1990.[8]

Personal life

Born in St Kitts in 1950, Morton moved to Birmingham in the 1960s.[9]

In the 2010s, Morton broke his knee, preventing him from playing for several years as it healed.[10]

References

  1. ^ dvoodoo (6 July 2009). "International Beat". Last FM. Last FM. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  2. ^ Harris, Tristan (9 October 2021). "CoventryObserver". CoventryObserver. CoventryObserver. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  3. ^ Helman, Peter (9 October 2021). "English Beat Drummer Everett Morton Dead At 71". Stereogum. Stereogum. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  4. ^ Harris, Tristan (9 October 2021). "CoventryObserver". CoventryObserver. CoventryObserver. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  5. ^ Harris, Tristan (9 October 2021). "CoventryObserver". CoventryObserver. CoventryObserver. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  6. ^ Wilkes, Emma (10 October 2021). "Everett Morton, Drummer Of The Beat, Dies At 71". udiscovermusic. udiscovermusic. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  7. ^ Rapp, Allison (9 October 2021). "The Beat Drummer Everett Morton Dead at 71". Ultimate Classic Rock. UCR Classic Rock and Culture. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  8. ^ Helman, Peter. "English Beat Drummer Everett Morton Dead At 71". Stereogum. Stereogum. Retrieved 3 July 2025.|date=9 October 2021}}
  9. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (9 October 2021). "Influential ska drummer Everett Morton of The Beat has died". New Musical Express. New Musical Express. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  10. ^ Probert, Sarah (8 April 2014). "Drummer goes back to his roots with a bang". BirminghamLive. BirminghamLive. Retrieved 3 July 2025.