Mighty Diamonds

Bio

The Mighty Diamonds were a Jamaican harmony trio formed in 1969 in Trenchtown, Kingston. The group—Donald “Tabby” Shaw, Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson, and Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson—became one of the leading vocal acts of the roots-reggae era, known for tight three-part harmonies and socially conscious lyrics. Their breakthrough came with the 1976 album Right Time and the hit single of the same name, both produced by Joseph “Joe Joe” Hookim at Channel One Studios. Subsequent classics such as “Pass the Kutchie,” “I Need a Roof,” and “Have Mercy” cemented their international reputation and influenced later lovers-rock and dancehall styles. Active for more than five decades, the Mighty Diamonds toured extensively and recorded for labels including Virgin, RAS, and their own Bad Gong imprint. Tabby Shaw’s death in 2022 marked the end of the original line-up, leaving a catalog that remains foundational to Jamaican popular music.