Jimmy Cliff, OM out and about for CELEBRITY CANDIDS – WED, at Pix 11 Studios, New York, NY February 6, 2013. Photo By: Derek Storm/Everett CollectionCelebs & EntertainmentNewsBy Jamaica Gleaner/Express Mail ZimKingston,Jamaica— International reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his family announced Monday.His wife Latifa Chambers confirmed that the Jamaican singer succumbed to complications arising from a seizure and pneumonia.Born James Chambers on July 30 1944 in St James Parish in Jamaica.Cliff rose to global fame as a teenager with early hits such as Hurricane Hattie.Over a career spanning more than six decades, he recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammy Awards and became one of the first reggae musicians to earn worldwide acclaim.His acting role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come helped propel reggae and Jamaican culture onto the international stage, while songs like Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now cemented his status as a musical icon.News of his death triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, artists and public figures across the globe many praising his ability to fuse personal storytelling with universal messages of hope, unity and resistance.Cliff’s influence was also deeply felt in Zimbabwe, where his music resonated strongly in the years surrounding independence after Bob Marley performed at Rufaro stadium.Reggae had already begun gaining traction in Zimbabwe before 1980 and Cliff was among the artists whose songs were known and cherished by Zimbabweans during the liberation struggle and its aftermath.After independence, his message driven music found a natural home in a nation redefining its identity and his work contributed to the growth of local reggae appreciation.It was at a time the sound system culture and eventually the evolution of Zimdancehall came through.Figures such as Zimbabwean reggae artist King Isaac have credited Jimmy Cliff as one of the powerful influences that shaped their early musical exposure.Sound Systems like Alkabulani ,Fara Shambare (Small Axe), Silver Stone,Deltaforce ,Broken Arrow came to the fore.For many Zimbabweans, Cliff’s lyrics on resilience and freedom formed part of the emotional soundtrack of transition from colonial rule to self-determination. His death marks the loss of a global cultural figure whose impact stretched well beyond Jamaica and into the hearts of communities across Africa including Zimbabwe where his music became intertwined with the country’s social and cultural journey.Jimmy Cliff is survived by his wife and children.
Further details about funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family.Jamaica Gleaner with additional reporting by Express Mail ZimLeave a ReplyCancel reply Jimmy Cliff, OM out and about for CELEBRITY CANDIDS – WED, at Pix 11 Studios, New York, NY February 6, 2013. Further details about funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family.Jamaica Gleaner with additional reporting by Express Mail Zim By Jamaica Gleaner/Express Mail ZimKingston,Jamaica— International reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his family announced Monday.His wife Latifa Chambers confirmed that the Jamaican singer succumbed to complications arising from a seizure and pneumonia.Born James Chambers on July 30 1944 in St James Parish in Jamaica.Cliff rose to global fame as a teenager with early hits such as Hurricane Hattie.Over a career spanning more than six decades, he recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammy Awards and became one of the first reggae musicians to earn worldwide acclaim.His acting role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come helped propel reggae and Jamaican culture onto the international stage, while songs like Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now cemented his status as a musical icon.News of his death triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, artists and public figures across the globe many praising his ability to fuse personal storytelling with universal messages of hope, unity and resistance.Cliff’s influence was also deeply felt in Zimbabwe, where his music resonated strongly in the years surrounding independence after Bob Marley performed at Rufaro stadium.Reggae had already begun gaining traction in Zimbabwe before 1980 and Cliff was among the artists whose songs were known and cherished by Zimbabweans during the liberation struggle and its aftermath.After independence, his message driven music found a natural home in a nation redefining its identity and his work contributed to the growth of local reggae appreciation.It was at a time the sound system culture and eventually the evolution of Zimdancehall came through.Figures such as Zimbabwean reggae artist King Isaac have credited Jimmy Cliff as one of the powerful influences that shaped their early musical exposure.Sound Systems like Alkabulani ,Fara Shambare (Small Axe), Silver Stone,Deltaforce ,Broken Arrow came to the fore.For many Zimbabweans, Cliff’s lyrics on resilience and freedom formed part of the emotional soundtrack of transition from colonial rule to self-determination. Further details about funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family.Jamaica Gleaner with additional reporting by Express Mail Zim Kingston,Jamaica— International reggae legend Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his family announced Monday.
His wife Latifa Chambers confirmed that the Jamaican singer succumbed to complications arising from a seizure and pneumonia. Born James Chambers on July 30 1944 in St James Parish in Jamaica. Cliff rose to global fame as a teenager with early hits such as Hurricane Hattie.
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Over a career spanning more than six decades, he recorded over 30 albums, won two Grammy Awards and became one of the first reggae musicians to earn worldwide acclaim. His acting role in the 1972 film The Harder They Come helped propel reggae and Jamaican culture onto the international stage, while songs like Many Rivers to Cross, You Can Get It If You Really Want and I Can See Clearly Now cemented his status as a musical icon. News of his death triggered an outpouring of tributes from fans, artists and public figures across the globe many praising his ability to fuse personal storytelling with universal messages of hope, unity and resistance. Cliff’s influence was also deeply felt in Zimbabwe, where his music resonated strongly in the years surrounding independence after Bob Marley performed at Rufaro stadium.
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