Formed in 1964 by Alton Ellis. After his singing partner John Holt quit (and later joined The Paragons), Ellis formed a trio to back him called The Flames. Consisting originally of his brother Leslie Ellis, David "Baby G" Gordon and a guy called Ronnie, later on people like Lloyd Charmers and Winston Jarrett would join. Membership would fluctuate. Ellis quickly scored a major hit with the antiviolence plea "Dance Crasher," and the following year, he released what was arguably the first rocksteady single, "Get Ready Rock Steady."

After Alton Ellis went solo Winston Jarrett took up lead vocal duties. Ellis moved to England in 1973.