“Harder Than The Rock” Now Streaming Internationally
A powerful documentary about the Cimarons, the UK’s first reggae band.
The Untold Story of UK Reggae Pioneers
“Harder Than The Rock: The Cimarons Story” tells the remarkable yet overlooked story of the band that helped bring reggae music to British shores and beyond.
The Beginning
It all started in 1967 at a bus stop in London’s Harlesden, where two Jamaican-born Londoners, Locksley Gichie and Franklyn Dunn, met and formed what would become the Cimarons. By the end of the decade, they had established themselves as the go-to backing group for Jamaican artists touring the UK.
Working with Legends
Throughout their career, the Cimarons worked alongside reggae royalty including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots & the Maytals, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, The Pioneers, and even Paul McCartney. They were pioneers in their own right, becoming one of the first reggae bands to perform in countries like Japan and Ireland.
Despite recording their own albums, working as session musicians for Trojan Records, and touring with major acts like The Clash and The Jam, the band never achieved the recognition or financial success their influence deserved.
The Challenges
The documentary explores how the music industry struggled to market the Cimarons’ raw sound, and how systemic barriers—including BBC’s reluctance to play reggae music—limited their reach. The band’s choice to prioritise music over commercial management also played a role in their story.
Final Chapter
The film follows the band’s emotional journey as they prepare for their first live performance in 30 years, offering a bittersweet look at their legacy and the universal power of music to bring people together.
“Harder Than The Rock” serves as both a celebration of the Cimarons’ contributions to music history and an important archive of their pioneering work for future generations.
"Harder Than The Rock: The Cimarons Story" is available on Sky Arts, NOWTV, and
Amazon Prime USA. Executive produced by Raven's founder Mark Antonello,
produced by J6 Films and directed by Mark Warmington.
