Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Has Died

Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at age 81. According to a statement from his family, Cliff died “due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.”

The message regarding Cliff’s death follows:

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. 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. 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.
Latifa , Lilty and Aken

Born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in the Somerton District of St. James, Jamaica, his birth took place during a hurricane that leveled his family’s residence. As a young teenager, he relocated to Kingston and entered the music industry through recordings with producer Leslie Kong. He took the stage name “Jimmy Cliff” and garnered success at teenager with the track “Hurricane Hattie.”

During the 1960s, Cliff worked within Jamaica’s ska and rocksteady movements. His 1969 single “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” climbed into the United Kingdom’s Top 10. His 1970 release “Vietnam” drew particular attention, with Bob Dylan purportedly describing it “the greatest protest song ever written.”

The 1972 film The Harder They Come represented a turning point in Cliff’s career and reggae’s international popularity. His starring role and soundtrack contributions brought widespread attention to Jamaican music. The film’s soundtrack included his performances of the title track, as well as “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “Many Rivers to Cross.” These recordings became some of Cliff’s best-known reggae songs.

Cliff maintained an active recording and performance schedule through subsequent decades. Cliff’s many collaborations included working with Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, and Paul Simon, among many others. Multiple artists performed their own interpretations of Cliff’s songs, including Jerry Garcia, Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Cher and Fiona Apple.

Beyond music, Cliff appeared in several films throughout his career. Following The Harder They Come, his screen work included roles in Club Paradise and Marked for Death.

Jamaica awarded him the Order of Merit in 2003, representing the country’s highest civilian recognition. In 2010, Cliff joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

The Recording Academy presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2011. In 2012, Cliff released Rebirth, which earned the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

Cliff issued two EPs in 2018, Free For All and Love For All. Cliff’s album, Refugee, was released in 2022.