Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican reggae icon, singer, songwriter, and actor, has died at the age of 81.
His death was announced by his wife, Latifa Chambers, who said he passed away after suffering a seizure followed by pneumonia. “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
Born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in Saint James Parish, Jamaica, Cliff was a driving force in bringing reggae music to a global audience.
He first made waves in the 1960s with songs like “Hurricane Hattie” and later became known for hits such as “Many Rivers to Cross,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “I Can See Clearly Now,” and “Vietnam.”
In addition to his musical legacy, Cliff starred in the 1972 crime drama The Harder They Come, directed by Perry Henzell, playing Ivanhoe “Ivan” Martin, an aspiring singer who becomes embroiled in crime. The film’s soundtrack, which features several of Cliff’s songs, is widely regarded as a landmark in Jamaican cinema.
He also appeared in the 1986 comedy Club Paradise alongside Robin Williams, Peter O’Toole, and Twiggy, also contributing to the film’s soundtrack.
Over his career Cliff recorded more than 30 albums and won two Grammy Awards. He was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Merit, one of the nation’s highest honors.
(image via wikipedia commons]
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