The Termites

The started around 1966. Their name came on after a joke when Vernal started to play the piano and found his "blocks" eaten by termites. Together they scored one big hit "Have Mercy Mr. Percy", a plea for leniency from a landlord. Furthermore they had a song on one of the most important rocksteady compilations Get Ready Rock Steady. The song "Last Love" got reissued on a lot of newer compilations. Their voices harmonized and fitted perfect over the slower rocksteady beats. They also includeda little doo-wop touch in their rhythms. Only a few of their recordings got versioned. They recorded an album for Studio One and also had distribution in the U.K. via Studio One where they released "Show Me The Way/What Can I Do". Generally seen, they nearly worked exclusivly with producer Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, before they changed to a independent label called Dampa. Their last song was "Push It Up", then they spit up. Wentworth Vernal left the music scene. He still lives in Jamaica, Lloyd Parks continued over years.