ANTHONY BRIGHTLY

Anthony Brightly began his musical journey at a very young age. At just nine years old, his mother bought him an organ, and soon after he joined a band. Music at that time was deeply community-based, with bands and musicians everywhere in the local area.

Inspired by the popularity of groups like the Jackson 5, Anthony and his friends formed a youthful group called Mysteron 5, performing Motown classics with the occasional reggae influence. The group lasted around two years, with the oldest member only about fifteen at the time.

A local venue called Phoebes played a major role in shaping his early career. The venue hosted an Opportunity Knocks–style talent competition, offering the chance to win £20 and secure a recording contract. Anthony’s home also became a hub for music and community gatherings, hosting blues parties, rehearsals, and even weddings. Known locally as the “Queen B Club,” it attracted musicians from all around.

Around the age of eleven, Anthony was invited to become the resident organist at Phoebes. From there, he and his fellow musicians became the house band, backing artists who entered the talent competitions. Known as Young Ones from Zion, they were famed for knowing almost every reggae song—earning a reputation as the musical “jukebox.”

Alongside this, Anthony was determined to make a record of his own. While attending secondary school, he regularly walked past what he believed to be a recording studio on Kingsland High Road. One day, he walked in and asked how much it would cost to make a record. Despite his young age, he was told it would cost £10 per hour. Through hard work—helping in his father’s shop and working at blues parties—he saved enough money to book studio time.
Anthony collaborated with a school friend who played bass guitar and produced a track titled “Mixed Up Man.” He informed his music teacher that he was making a record, and the next day proudly brought it into school. What began as laughter from classmates quickly turned into amazement when the teacher played the record, accompanied it on piano, and took it to the headmaster. The recording was eventually played to the entire school during assembly.
Shortly after this moment, Anthony joined a band that would later become known as Black Slate—marking the beginning of a significant chapter in his musical career.