Jimmy Cliff, a musical artist who helped deliver reggae to a global viewers, has died aged 81.
Recognized for hits together with You Can Get It If You Actually Need, The More durable They Come, and Many Rivers To Cross, his profession spanned six a long time.
Cliff acting on the Pyramid Stage, on the Glastonbury Pageant in 2003. Pic: PA
His spouse, Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram: “It is with profound unhappiness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over as a result of a seizure adopted by pneumonia.
“I’m grateful for his household, buddies, fellow artists and coworkers who’ve shared his journey with him.
“To all his followers around the globe, please know that your help was his energy all through his complete profession. He actually appreciated every fan for his or her love.”
Thanking the medical employees who helped throughout his sickness, she added: “Jimmy, my darling, could you relaxation in peace. I’ll observe your needs.”
Signed by his spouse, and two of his kids, Latifa and Lilty, the assertion concluded: “We see you Legend.”
Tributes to the singer included these from Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, calling him “a real cultural big whose music carried the guts of our nation to the world… Jimmy Cliff advised our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted folks by way of arduous occasions, impressed generations, and helped to form the worldwide respect that Jamaican tradition enjoys as we speak.”
UB40 star Ali Campbell, who coated Cliff’s music Many Rivers To Cross in 1983, additionally paid tribute, saying he was “completely heartbroken to listen to concerning the passing of a Reggae forefather” in a submit on X.
Campbell additionally known as Cliff “a pillar of our music, and one of many first to hold reggae out into the world”.
Jimmy Cliff (L) stands with Wyclef Jean at his Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame induction in 2010. Pic: Reuters
A legend of music and display
A two-time Grammy-winning artist, Cliff was awarded the Jamaican Order of Advantage in 2003, the very best honour within the arts and sciences, from the Jamaican authorities.
Over time, he would work with stars together with the Rolling Stones, Sting, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, Paul Simon and Wyclef Jean.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2010.
A prolific author, ceaselessly expressing his humanitarian views by way of his work, his 1969 observe Vietnam was reportedly described by Bob Dylan as “the very best protest music” he had ever heard.
Cliff was additionally well-known for canopy variations of songs, together with Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 film Cool Runnings, and Cat Stevens’ Wild World.
He twice carried out on high-profile US chat present Saturday Night time Reside.
An actor and a musician, in addition to singing the title observe of 1972 cult basic The More durable They Come, Cliff additionally starred in it.
One of many first main business releases to return out of Jamaica, the film is credited with bringing reggae to the world, in addition to exhibiting a grittier and extra reasonable aspect to the nation.
Throughout this time, Cliff’s fame rivalled Bob Marley because the reggae’s most distinguished artist.
The storyline, which revolved round Cliff’s character, Ivan, shifting to Kingston, Jamaica, to make it as a musical famous person, had parallels along with his personal.
Cliff on the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards on the London Enviornment in London’s Docklands in 2002. Pic: PA
‘Hurricane Hattie’
He was born James Chambers, throughout a hurricane, on 30 July 1944, in St James Parish, northwestern Jamaica.
Within the Nineteen Fifties, he moved along with his father from the household farm to Kingston, decided to achieve the music business.
He started writing as Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain, and because the early sounds of reggae – first known as ska – have been being developed.
At simply 14, he turned nationally well-known for the music Hurricane Hattie, which he had written himself.
Cliff would go on to document over 30 albums and carry out all around the world, together with in Paris, in Brazil and on the World’s Honest, a global exhibition held in New York in 1964.
The next 12 months, Island Data’ Chris Blackwell, the producer who launched Bob Marley And The Wailers, invited Cliff to work within the UK.
Jimmy Cliff throughout the Love Supreme Jazz Pageant in 2019. Pic: Shutterstock
‘I nonetheless have many rivers to cross!’
Talking about his burning ardour for all times throughout a 2019 interview, when the star had begun dropping his sight, Cliff stated: “Once I’ve achieved all my ambitions, then I assume that I’ll have performed it and I can simply say ‘nice’.
“However I am nonetheless hungry. I would like it. I’ve nonetheless obtained the burning fireplace that burns brightly within me – like I simply stated to you. I nonetheless have many rivers to cross!”
Cliff’s final studio album, Refugees, made with Wyclef Jean, was launched in 2022, and the singer stated he wrote the title observe “as a result of emotional emotions in direction of freedom taken away from human beings”.
