Celebrity
3 min read
Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican reggae legend, dead at 81
Two-time Grammy-winning music legend Jimmy Cliff has passed away, his wife confirmed in a heartbreaking statement.
Eric Todisco – the New York Post
Jimmy Cliff, the two-time Grammy winning Jamaican musician and reggae legend, has died. He was 81.
Cliff’s wife, Latifa Chambers, announced his death in a statement on his Instagram page on Monday, reports the New York Post.
“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia,” Chambers wrote.
“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him,” she continued. “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. I also wanted to thank Dr. Couceyro and the whole medical staff, as they have been extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process.”
“Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes,” Chambers said. “I hope you all can respect our privacy during these hard times. Further information will be provided at a later date. See you and we see you Legend.”
Chambers also signed the message from the couple’s children, Lilty and Aken.
Cliff, whose real name was James Chambers, was born in Saint James, Jamaica in 1944. His music career started in the 1960s after he moved to the island’s capital, Kingston, and began working with reggae producer Leslie Kong. He also adopted his stage name at that time.
Cliff released his first hit song, Hurricane Hattie, when he was 14. He released more popular local songs including King of Kings, Dearest Beverley, Miss Jamaica, and Pride and Passion, before signing with Island Records and moving to the UK.
In his 20s, Cliff became an international star thanks to his singles Wonderful World, Beautiful People and Vietnam.
According to Cliff’s website, Bob Dylan once proclaimed that Vietnam was “the greatest protest song ever written.”
In 1972, Cliff starred in the reggae film The Harder They Come and also created the soundtrack. The film “drew an international spotlight to reggae,” Cliff’s website noted.
Throughout his career, Cliff collaborated with other music icons like Kool & The Gang, The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon, while artists such as Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nelson covered versions of his songs.
In 2009, Cliff was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted on March 15, 2009 by Wyclef Jean.
Cliff enjoyed a career resurgence in 2012 with the release of his album Rebirth, which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.
“Now, I feel I have not completed what I’m here on this planet to do,” he said on his website about his “Rebirth” album’s sucesss. “I have to say what I have to say and do what I have to do via music and films. Every morning I wake up, that keeps me going.”
Cliff released his final album, Refugees, in 2022. In total, he released over 30 studio albums.
This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.
