The Pioneers

The Pioneers

14598 fans

The Pioneers, a Jamaican reggae vocal trio, were formed in 1962 by brothers Sydney and Derrick Crooks alongside Winston Hewitt. Their early recordings, such as "Good Nanny" and "I'll Never Come Running Back to You", were self-produced at Treasure Isle studio. After Hewitt's departure in 1966, the group briefly included Glen Adams before disbanding mid-1967. Sydney Crooks then recruited Jackie Robinson, leading to a successful revival with singles like "Longshot" and "Jackpot". The trio later added George Agard and moved to the UK in 1970 following the hit "Long Shot Kick De Bucket". Their cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart in 1971, and "Give and Take" peaked at number 35 in January 1972. The Pioneers collaborated with Eddy Grant for the album Feel The Rhythm in 1976, marking a shift towards soul music. The group reformed multiple times, notably in 1999, and continued performing, including appearances at festivals like Maranhão Roots Reggae Festival in Brazil (2005) and Godiva Festival in Coventry, England (2006). Their song "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was covered by The Specials on their UK Number 1 hit EP The Special AKA Live! in 1980, leading to a reissue of the original version which reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart.

Top tracks

02
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
03:08
Writer: Jimmy Cliff / Composers: Jimmy Cliff
01
Long Shot (Kick The Bucket)
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:50
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
05
Time Hard
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:33
Writer: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
04
Samfie Man
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:58
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
24
Shake It Up
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:12
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
04
Starvation
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:24
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
16
Rudies Are the Greatest
The Pioneers
Rudies All Round
02:02
Writer: George Agard - Syndey Crooks / Composers: George Agard - Syndey Crooks
05
I Need Your Sweet Inspiration
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:36
Writer: Dan Penn - Lindon Oldham / Composers: Dan Penn - Lindon Oldham
12
Ali Button
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:36
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
05
Bring Him Home
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:22
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
02
Caranapo
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:08
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
22
Starvation
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:44
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
16
Poor Rameses
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:32
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
13
Jackpot
The Pioneers
Earth Free
03:07
12
Money Day
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:21
Writer: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Loren Jackson Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Loren Jackson Robinson
27
Message from Maria
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
03:31
Writer: Duke Reid / Composers: Duke Reid
01
Bus Them Shut
The Pioneers
Pusher Man
03:47
Composers: Loren Robinson - CANIC BALTON AGARD - SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
08
Simmer Down Quashie
The Pioneers
Hot Shots of Reggae
01:47
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
06
Mother Ritty
The Pioneers
Long Shot
03:07
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
09
Give and Take
The Pioneers
Earth Free
02:24
01
You Won't See Me
The Pioneers
Rub-A-Dub Soul
03:58
Composers: John Lennon - Paul McCartney
04
Pusher Man
The Pioneers
Pusher Man
02:44
Composers: Loren Robinson - CANIC BALTON AGARD - SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
10
Give Me a Little Loving
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:44
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks
02
Long Shot
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:43
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks
14
Give It to Me (Rugged Girl)
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
03:00
Writer: George Agard - Sidney Crooks / Composers: George Agard - Sidney Crooks
21
Na Na
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:20
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
15
Keep Your Mouth Shut
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:04
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard
37
Driven Back
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:09
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
15
Reggae Fever
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:51
Writer: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
30
Black Bud
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:16
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
26
The World Needs Love
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
03:23
Writer: Warning - Achuitemak / Composers: Warning - Achuitemak
40
I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:41
Writer: Aaron H. Schroeder - Sid Wayne / Composers: Aaron H. Schroeder - Sid Wayne
19
At The Discotheque
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:26
Writer: Bob Feldman - Jerry Goldstein / Composers: Bob Feldman - Jerry Goldstein
14
Get Ready
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:42
Writer: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
20
Riot in a Notting Hill
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:18
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard
01
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
The Pioneers
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
02:48
38
Reggae Fever
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:51
Writer: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sidney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
23
Battle Of The Giants
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
01:57
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
33
Sweet Number One
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:40
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard
24
A Little Bit Of Soap
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:39
Writer: Bert Berns / Composers: Bert Berns
06
Roll Muddy River
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:33
Writer: Howard Greenfield - R.Roker - R Hawkins / Composers: Howard Greenfield - R.Roker - R Hawkins
35
Jamaica Jerk Off
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
03:48
Writer: Bernie Taupin / Composers: Elton John
08
You Don't Know Like I Know
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:39
Writer: Isaac Hayes - David Porter / Composers: Isaac Hayes - David Porter
17
Easy Come Easy Go
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:46
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
39
My Special Prayer
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:40
Writer: Wini Scott / Composers: Wini Scott

Playlists

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  • Discography
Albums
Reggae Pon the Scene
2025 Sydney Crooks
25-07-2025
Reggae Pon the Scene
01
Hullo Gow
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
04:02
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
02
Bulling for Me
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
03:17
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
03
Love Oh Love
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
03:55
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
04
Get Ready
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
03:45
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
05
Put It Dung
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
03:57
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
06
Live Good
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
04:05
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
07
We Come Fe Dominate
Luddy Pioneer
Reggae Pon the Scene
04:09
Writer: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS / Composers: SYDNEY ROY CROOKS
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
The Best of The Pioneers
℗ 2017 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
26-05-2017
The Best of The Pioneers
01
Long Shot Kick de Bucket
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:48
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
02
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
03:08
Writer: Jimmy Cliff / Composers: Jimmy Cliff
03
Time Hard
George Dekker
The Best of The Pioneers
02:31
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Dekker / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Dekker
04
Samfie Man
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:58
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
05
I Need Your Sweet Inspiration
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:36
Writer: Dan Penn - Lindon Oldham / Composers: Dan Penn - Lindon Oldham
06
Roll Muddy River
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
02:33
Writer: Howard Greenfield - R.Roker - R Hawkins / Composers: Howard Greenfield - R.Roker - R Hawkins
07
Simmer Down Quashie
The Pioneers
The Best of The Pioneers
01:47
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
Access the complete album info (40 songs)
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
℗ 2002 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-2002
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
01
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
03:08
Writer: Jimmy Cliff / Composers: Jimmy Cliff
02
Long Shot
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:43
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks
03
Long Shot Kick de Bucket
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:48
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
04
Starvation
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:24
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
05
Time Hard
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
02:33
Writer: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
06
Jackpot
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
03:06
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
07
Battle Of The Giants
The Pioneers
Give and Take (The Best of The Pioneers)
01:57
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
Access the complete album info (25 songs)
Battle of the Giants
℗ 1970 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-1970
Battle of the Giants
01
Money Day
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
02:21
Writer: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Loren Jackson Robinson / Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Loren Jackson Robinson
02
Consider Me
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
02:36
Writer: Eddie Floyd - Booker T. Jones / Composers: Eddie Floyd - Booker T. Jones
03
Driven Back
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
02:09
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
04
Gorgeous and Marvellous
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
03:14
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
05
Samfie Man
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
03:00
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
06
Now You Are Gone
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
03:30
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks - Jackie Robinson
07
Battle Of The Giants
The Pioneers
Battle of the Giants
01:57
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard - Jackie Robinson
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Long Shot
(P) 1969 Beverley's
01-01-1969
Long Shot
01
Long Shot (Kick The Bucket)
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:50
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
02
Caranapo
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:08
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
03
Black Bud
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:04
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
04
Long Up Your Mouth
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:01
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
05
Bring Him Home
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:22
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
06
Mother Ritty
The Pioneers
Long Shot
03:07
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
07
Poor Rameses
The Pioneers
Long Shot
02:32
Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sidney Crooks
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Greetings from the Pioneers
℗ 1968 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
01-01-1968
Greetings from the Pioneers
01
Me Naw Go A Believe
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:28
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard
02
You'll Never Get Away
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:50
Writer: George Agard - Sidney Crooks / Composers: George Agard - Sidney Crooks
03
Baby Don't Be Late
The Righteous Flames
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:37
Writer: Winston Jarrett / Composers: Winston Jarrett
04
Shake It Up
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:12
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
05
No Dope Me Pony
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:08
Composers: George Agard - Sydney Crooks
06
Whip Them
The Pioneers
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:36
Writer: Sydney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sydney Crooks - George Agard
07
Gimme Gimme Girl
The Righteous Flames
Greetings from the Pioneers
02:17
Writer: Sidney Crooks - George Agard / Composers: Sidney Crooks - George Agard
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
Singles
I Feel So Bad
℗ 2025 Original Gravity
05-09-2025
I Feel So Bad
01
I Feel So Bad
The Pioneers
I Feel So Bad
02:20
Composers: Jackie Edwards
02
I Feel So Bad (Boss Version)
The Pioneers
I Feel So Bad
02:21
Composers: Jackie Edwards
Jump Up!
Original Gravity
20-10-2023
Jump Up!
01
Jump Up!
The Pioneers
Jump Up!
03:34
Writer: Neil Anderson - Jackie Robinson - George Agard / Composers: Neil Anderson - Jackie Robinson - George Agard
You Won't See Me
2023 VP Music Group, Inc
27-09-2023
You Won't See Me
01
You Won't See Me
The Pioneers
You Won't See Me
03:58
Composers: John Lennon - Paul McCartney
Long Shot Kick de Bucket (Reggae Roast x The Nextmen Remix)
℗ 2019 Sanctuary Records Group Ltd., a BMG Company
30-08-2019
Long Shot Kick de Bucket (Reggae Roast x The Nextmen Remix)
01
Long Shot Kick de Bucket (Reggae Roast x The Nextmen Remix)
The Pioneers
Long Shot Kick de Bucket (Reggae Roast x The Nextmen Remix)
04:05
Writer: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks / Composers: George Agard - Jackie Robinson - Sydney Crooks
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
2018 Burning Sounds
02-11-2018
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
01
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
The Pioneers
Long Shot Kick De Bucket
02:48
Long Shot (Vocal Dub)
2018 Burning Sounds
02-11-2018
Long Shot (Vocal Dub)
01
Long Shot (Vocal Dub)
The Pioneers
Long Shot (Vocal Dub)
02:48
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
2018 Burning Sounds
02-11-2018
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
01
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
The Pioneers
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah
03:16
Long Shot (12" Version)
2018 Burning Sounds
02-11-2018
Long Shot (12" Version)
01
Long Shot (12" Version)
The Pioneers
Long Shot (12" Version)
04:25
Long Shot (Horn Dub)
2018 Burning Sounds
02-11-2018
Long Shot (Horn Dub)
01
Long Shot (Horn Dub)
The Pioneers
Long Shot (Horn Dub)
04:26