| Pluto Shervington | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Leighton Shervington |
| Born | 13 August 1950 |
| Origin | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres | Reggae |
| Occupations | Singer, musician, engineer, producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Labels | Opal, Trojan Records, KR Records |
Pluto Shervington, also known as Pluto (born Leighton Shervington, 13 August 1950,[1] Kingston, Jamaica), is a reggae musician, singer, engineer and producer.
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Shervington began his career in the early 1970s as a member of the showband Tomorrow's Children.[2] Inspired by the success of Ernie Smith's "Duppy or a Gunman" and Tinga Stewart's "Play de Music", both delivered in heavy patois, he recorded "Ram Goat Liver" in a similar style.[2] The follow-up, single "Dat" - about a Rastafarian with a secret liking for pork, contrary to his faith - achieved considerable chart success internationally in 1976, reaching the number 6 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] Trojan Records capitalized on this success by reissuing his first single, which peaked just outside the top 40 in the UK.[2]
Shervington moved to Miami, Florida in the early 1980s, and continued recording, enjoying another big hit in 1982 with "Your Honour", which reached the UK top 20.[2] This song dealt with a prisoner's courtroom pleas of innocence, in the face of insurmountable evidence to the contrary. The song's somewhat racy nature, and comical styling is in the best traditions of calypso, and many elements of reggae. Shervington often performs live in Miami, and periodically returns to his homeland for performances. As of 2007[update] he plays solo at Bahama Breeze in Kendall, Florida; and every other Sunday at Black Point Marina in Cutler Bay with a five piece band. Pluto appeared at the St. Kitts Music Festival on Friday 22 June 2007, sharing the bill with Steel Pulse and Sean Paul, amongst others.[3]
In addition to his work as a singer, Shervington gained a reputation as a talented bass guitarist, and as a recording engineer, notably engineering Little Roy's 1974 album, Tafari Earth Uprising.[4]