Everett Morton Drums

Easily the most experienced member of the Beat, Everett Morton became the fourth member to join up with the band based on the recommendation of a friend who worked with David Steele at the mental hospital. Everett had been playing drums in reggae in soul bands for approximately fifteen years at that point.

According to Twist and Crawl by Halasa:
"Everett had come to England from St. Kitts in the mid-sixties, working in a kettlespinning factory and playing music in the evenings and weekends. He first learned the drums when his cousin asked him to join his band. After a stint at drum school at Yardley's in Birmingham, and practising almost constantly on the settee and table in the house, Everett developed his own style and began playing around Handsworth."

At first it was rough going for the four band members. Everett drummed with a reggae beat, but the other three did not have experience in that area. While they listened to reggae frequently, they had up until that point been playing in a punk style. This was the beginning of the band's meshing of styles.

After the Beat parted, Everett and Saxa worked together to form the International Beat which enjoyed much success touring in the UK and USA until 1992. In 2001 Everett, Ranking Roger, and Saxa got back together to tour as Twist and Crawl. They still play together today under the name the New Beat (twistandcrawl.com).

Sources:
Twist And Crawl by Malu Halasa
twistandcrawl.com