Fans show up at rock steady shows to see their favourite artistes sing classics from that era. But many of those acts, like Keith and Tex, record new songs which they perform on stage.

The duo, whose popularity peaked during the late 1960s with songs like ‘Stop That Train’ and ‘Don’t Look Back’, released their latest album, ‘Gun Life’, in March. It is the third album they have recorded with producer Roberto Sanchez of Spain.

Recorded with European musicians, it contains original songs such as ‘Country Living’, ‘Simple Man’ and ‘On The Streets. All have the live feel Keith and Tex are accustomed to.

“Working with Roberto Sanchez has been a remarkable experience. We have done three albums with him now as music composer and producer, and he captures the essence of the music, down to the instrumentation used at the time,” said Keith. “He captures our sound and has composed riddims just for our taste and likeness.”

‘Same Old Story’, released in 2017, and ‘Freedom’ which came out three years ago, are the other albums he and Tex have done for the Liquidator label. The former was done four years after they started touring Europe where, like many Jamaican artistes from the 1960s, they have a following.

Naturally, fans want to hear the hits, but Keith noted that they are also interested in their current songs.

“During our live performances, our fans come expecting to hear our classic songs. They not only dance, but sing along to the songs they know, and we always include some of our new material,” he disclosed.

Born Keith Rowe in Kingston, he and Tex (born Phillip Texas Dixon in Kingston) were part of a five-member group who were turned down after auditioning for rival producers Clement Dodd, Duke Reid and Prince Buster. When their colleagues threw in the towel, they soldiered on by going to Derrick Harriott whose Crystal label was making a name.

Harriott produced their major hits — ‘Tonight’, ‘Stop That Train’ (originally done by The Spanishtonians) and a version of The Temptations’ ‘Don’t Look Back’.

Both men migrated to North America when they were on the verge of bigger things. Keith settled in the United States where he served in the army for 20 years, retiring as a first sergeant (non-commissioned officer), while Tex moved to Canada where he worked with the government before retiring.

They officially returned to music in 1997 with the aptly-titled album, ‘Back Together Again’.