[3] After early recordings for producer Simeon L. Smith went unreleased, he moved on to work with Leslie Kong, who released his debut single "Oh Shirley", co-arranged with his friend Jimmy Cliff, giving him a hit in 1965.
This group was unsuccessful, but Shirley went on to join Slim Smith and Franklyn White in the original line-up of The Uniques.
[2] When this line-up folded, Shirley recorded "Hold Them" in 1966, credited as one of the first rocksteady songs,[1][4] and inspired by the beat from a Salvation Army band.
[3] Shirley attempted to perform "Hold Them" to a ska beat, but unable to make it work, slowed down the rhythm.
[6] In late 1968, Shirley set up his own Public label and began self-production, releasing tracks such as "Prophecy Fulfilling", "Flying Reggae", and "On Board".