The Paragons
Rocksteady at its most graceful: John Holt’s lead voice, close harmonies and Treasure Isle rhythms that never needed to rush. “The Tide Is High” kept travelling long after the trio’s first run.
GO DEEPER
The Paragons became one of the great harmony groups of Jamaica’s rocksteady era, with John Holt emerging as their best-known lead singer and songwriter. At Treasure Isle they recorded “On the Beach,” “Wear You to the Ball,” “Only a Smile” and “The Tide Is High,” matching restrained harmony with the deep, spacious rhythm of Duke Reid’s studio. The group’s songs became raw material for later history. U-Roy revoiced “Wear You to the Ball,” while “The Tide Is High” was repeatedly covered and carried into international pop by Blondie and others. That afterlife should lead listeners back to the quieter original world that made the song possible.
Where the history is argued
- The Paragons’ lineup shifted, and different histories emphasize Bob Andy’s early role or John Holt’s later leadership.
How they stand with the others
Crossed overLater covers made “The Tide Is High” globally familiar, but the original belongs to Jamaica’s rocksteady and Treasure Isle history.
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Last checked 1 September 2026