by germainebull » 25 Nov 2025, 06:35
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his wife Latifa Chambers announced his death via social media, saying the cause was a seizure followed by pneumonia. This is a huge loss for the music world because Cliff was a pioneer and icon of reggae who brought joy, resilience and defiance through his classics.
Born James Chambers in 1944 during a hurricane in St James Parish Jamaica, he later moved to Kingston with his father to pursue his musical dreams. At the age of 14, he caught the attention of the entire nation with the song Hurricane Hattie. He later recorded more than 30 albums and performed shows worldwide in Paris, Brazil and the World’s Fair in New York. Producer Chris Blackwell of Island Records invited him to the UK and his career took off.
Cliff also ventured into acting with the 1972 film The Harder They Come becoming a classic and opening reggae to an international audience. His music included hits like You Can Get It If You Really Want It and Many Rivers To Cross as well as covers like I Can See Clearly Now and Wild World. Bob Dylan once said his song Vietnam was the greatest protest song ever.
Over the years Cliff collaborated with stars like the Rolling Stones Elvis Costello Annie Lennox and Paul Simon. He won two Grammys, one in 1984 for Cliff Hanger and the other in 2012 for Rebirth. His music represented the hardships of Jamaicans but also the spirit of joy and hope. Cliff will always be remembered as the voice of reggae and a true icon.
Source: Aljazeera
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his wife Latifa Chambers announced his death via social media, saying the cause was a seizure followed by pneumonia. This is a huge loss for the music world because Cliff was a pioneer and icon of reggae who brought joy, resilience and defiance through his classics.
Born James Chambers in 1944 during a hurricane in St James Parish Jamaica, he later moved to Kingston with his father to pursue his musical dreams. At the age of 14, he caught the attention of the entire nation with the song Hurricane Hattie. He later recorded more than 30 albums and performed shows worldwide in Paris, Brazil and the World’s Fair in New York. Producer Chris Blackwell of Island Records invited him to the UK and his career took off.
Cliff also ventured into acting with the 1972 film The Harder They Come becoming a classic and opening reggae to an international audience. His music included hits like You Can Get It If You Really Want It and Many Rivers To Cross as well as covers like I Can See Clearly Now and Wild World. Bob Dylan once said his song Vietnam was the greatest protest song ever.
Over the years Cliff collaborated with stars like the Rolling Stones Elvis Costello Annie Lennox and Paul Simon. He won two Grammys, one in 1984 for Cliff Hanger and the other in 2012 for Rebirth. His music represented the hardships of Jamaicans but also the spirit of joy and hope. Cliff will always be remembered as the voice of reggae and a true icon.
Source: Aljazeera
