Crossing the River: Jimmy Cliff dies aged 81

The sad news came out this morning, via his Facebook site, that reggae legend Jimmy Cliff had died, "due to a seizure followed by pneumonia." The post, written by his wife Latifa Chambers, went on to say; "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."

Photo: Getty Images

Jimmy Cliff was a transitional musician, one of the key people to bring reggae wider global exposure through the late 1960s and 1970s. He had a string of hits around the world, with a distinctive, smooth voice, that was able to roll between reggae, ska, soul and R&B.

His story begins as James Chambers, born in 1944 in Somerton, St, James's Parish, in the northwest of Jamaica. By the age of twelve, he had already moved down to Kingston, in order to try and secure himself a recording contract - making his voice a little gruffer, to try and mask his age. He had several local singles out before Hurricane Hattie gave him his Jamaican breakthrough, still aged just fourteen.

Jimmy Cliff: Hurricane Hattie (audio only)

In 1964, he was chosen as a Jamaican representative at the World's Fair, held in New York, and the same year he would appear in the documentary, This Is Ska! with Prince Buster and Toots Maytal. He moved to the UK in the mid-60s, and soon earned a contract with Chris Blackwell's Island Records, which was starting to build a reputation for showcasing reggae.

It's a Wonderful World

Wonderful World, Beautiful People gave Cliff a hit in 1969, while his move to England had sadly provided him with inspiration for Many Rivers To Cross, which wasn't a hit at the time, but later became one of his well known works. The song was informed in part because, as he said, "I experienced racism in a manner I had never experienced before, and that was really tough for me."

Jimmy Cliff: Wonderful World, Beautiful People (live on Austin City Limits, 2010)

It was his performance in the 1972 Jamaican film, The Harder They Come, and the accompanying soundtrack, that propelled him to another level. He admitted that it was "such a low budget movie", which meant that it was filmed in fits and starts, as money allowed. But it did add the acting string to his bow, with Times critic A.H. Weiler noting his ability and that his performance was "natural and energetic."

Photo: International / New World / Kobal / Shutterstock

He would subsequently work in other movies, such as 1986s Club Paradise with Robin Williams. He would also sing the album version of Hakuna Matata (sung by Nathan Lane in the film) for the Lion King soundtrack.

Jimmy Cliff: The Harder They Come (live in the studio)

Awards

Cliff earned himself two Grammy's; Best Reggae Recording in 1986, for Cliff Hanger, and Best Reggae Album in 2013, for Rebirth. Then, in 2010, Cliff became just the second reggae star to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. He followed Bob Marley, a person he had actually championed back in 1960s Kingston - and his induction wad done by Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, who said that he was an inspiration, especially to those from rural communities, saying "When we saw Jimmy Cliff, we saw ourselves."

He worked with many musicians from across many genres over the years, perhaps exemplified by 2002's Fantastic Plastic People. That album included Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics on guitar, guest appearances by Jools Holland and legendary AfroBeat drummer, Tony Allen, and guest vocals from Joe Strummer (Over The Border), Annie Lennox (Love Comes) and Sting (People)

Jimmy Cliff with Joe Strummer: Over The Border (audio only)

Reaction

Bob Dylan once said that 1970s Vietnam was the best protest song he had ever heard, while Keith Richards, who worked with Cliff on occasion, said that, "he wrote some of the most beautiful ballads that ever came out of Jamaica. Unbeatable songs and the voice of an angel, you know?"

Jimmy Cliff: Vietnam (audio only)

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the tributes today, saying that Cliff was "a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world... Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today."

Ali Campbell of British reggae stalwarts UB40 said, "Jimmy wasn’t just a legend, he was a light. From The Harder They Come to Many Rivers to Cross, he opened doors for all of us who came after. His courage, his spirit, his melody… they shaped the path we walk today.... Every time I step on a stage, I’m reminded of the giants who laid the groundwork, and Jimmy was one of the greatest. A man of heart, humility, and unbelievable talent.

Rest easy, King."

Singer, Maxi Priest said, "The world has lost one of its greatest artists of all time — singer, songwriter, actor… The legend, the icon, a national treasure of Jamaica… Jimmy Cliff.

A true pioneer who carved the road, carried the torch that lit the path for so many of us to walk. From the early 60s straight to this day, Jimmy Cliff carried Jamaica on his shoulders, uniting the world through music, opening doors, breaking barriers, and inspiring generations."

And Yusuf (Cat) Stevens fondly remembered how they had gained success with the same song, Stevens' Wild World; "Jimmy Cliff was a powerful presence in my life - he always seemed to be there at crucial stages on my journey. We had success together in the early days with Wild World, we bumped into each other by strange and wonderful coincidence on pilgrimage in Mecca, and we also connected at the Mandela 46664 concert that marked my return to mainstream music. GOD BLESS HIM, his songs always had some message of peace - may he find it now and forever."