1 week ago
2
In 2010, when Jimmy Cliff was awarded one of music’s highest accolades – induction in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – in his acceptance speech, he noted that “reggae music is a music that was not conceived in the United States, like most of the music forms that we know, so, to be standing here with you today with a music that I was a part of creating is a big honour”. The iconic ska, rocksteady and reggae music pioneer and actor, whose Many Rivers to Cross, is a global anthem of upliftment, crossed his last river at 1 a.m. on Monday, November 24. He was 81.
The Hall of Fame posted a tribute to the legend on social media, stating that Cliff “introduced the sound and message of reggae to a global audience .... and was instrumental in spreading reggae music around the world”. The piece mentioned his starring role as Ivan in the 1972 cult classic Jamaican film, The Harder They Come and also “his magnificent performances on its soundtrack”.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said in a press release that Jimmy Cliff’s death “has left us deeply saddened” and that his transitioning “represents a major loss, not just for Jamaica but for the world”.
“Jimmy Cliff is no doubt a pioneer of music and must also be appropriately hailed as a legend of our time. He was a unique talent who has left an indelible mark on the global music industry,” Grange said.
A seven-time Grammy Award nominee and a two-time winner, in 1986 for the album, Cliff Hanger and in 2012 for Rebirth, produced by Tim Armstrong of punk band Rancid, Jimmy Cliff was the recipient of Jamaica’s third highest national honour, the Order of Merit.
Born July 30, 1944, in Somerset, St James, Jimmy Cliff’s real name was James Chambers. His father took him to Kingston at age 14 and while still in school, he did the rounds at the studios, trying to convince producers to record him. His first producer was Leslie Kong, and his first hit song was Hurricane Hattie. Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to the United Kingdom. His international début album, Hard Road to Travel (1967) was critically acclaimed. It included Waterfall, which became a hit in Brazil and won the International Song Festival.
As the entertainment fraternity and the world mourn the death of Jimmy Cliff, friends and associates share their thoughts with The Gleaner.
VP Records
“Jimmy Cliff was a true pioneer whose passion, vision and unwavering commitment, profoundly shaped the appreciation of Jamaican music. Throughout his life and distinguished career, he championed its positive messages, opening doors, building bridges and inspiring countless individuals across cultures and generations. His contributions leaves an indelible mark on our industry and all who had the privilege of working with him.He will be sadly missed, fondly remembered and forever honoured for the legacy he leaves behind.Our thoughts and sincere condolences to his wife, children and family.”
Colin Leslie - corporate consultant
“Jimmy Cliff was our first and most successful reggae superstar. His success spread all across the globe, especially in Africa. He was successful long before Bob Marley and it was he who advised Bob to build a studio. I knew him very well, and so too did my mother, who was his Jamaican real estate advisor.”
Winston ‘Niney the Observer’ Holness - producer and singer
“Yeah man. It’s a sad day. Pardie gone. From I see that him never come to Skill [Alan Cole] funeral I know that things wasn’t right because Pardie and Skill did tight. Jimmy Cliff was one of the real ones ... a gifted singer, song-writer and actor. He gave us so much big chune that we can still sing decades later.”
Jerome Hamilton - CEO, Headline Entertainment
Headline Entertainment and myself join the world in mourning the passing, while celebrating the life of James Chambers aka Jimmy Cliff. I am glad we had the pleasure of working with him when he performed at the 2007 Cricket World Cup launch in Trelawny and we worked with him when he was promoting one of his later albums. He is a complete standout at he was in a class of his own. To me, he is the first real multimedia Jamaican star, being an actor who had a successful film, in addition to a recording career. He also stands out to me as a Jamaican who was a star in three solid eras ... ska, rocksteady and reggae. And he went on to define the genre. I don’t think that any artiste has had the chance to tour the world and perform for his fans as long and as much as Jimmy Cliff did. The sad thing is that he is not as revered and as honoured enough here in his country for what he has done both for the business and in the business And, just one of the things that show how standout he was, he was inducted in the Rock ‘n’ Roll hall of Fame 15 years ago.
Patricia Meschino - journalist
Jimmy Cliff was a singular talent who blazed an incomparable trail. His timeless songs, his stirring live performances and his stunning portrayal of Ivanhoe Martin in The Harder They Come took Jamaican music and culture, in all of its grit and glory, to the world. A two-time Grammy winner and a 2010 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmy was among the last surviving representatives of the pioneering generation that brought international acclaim to Jamaica’s homegrown (reggae) music. With his transition, we mourn the absence of his physical presence but celebrate his glorious music, his stellar legacy and his inordinate contributions.
Sean Contractor Edwards – CEO Contractor Music Marketing
“A few years ago Jimmy Cliff was honoured in his hometown at the primary school he attended. He gave an acoustic performance where women lay flowers at his feet. I was backstage and as he came off he has in tears and was shaking and overwhelmed by his own performance. At that moment, I knew I had witnessed the greatest reggae music performance in my lifetime.”
Bridgett Anderson - artiste manager and décor specialist
I had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Cliff through working Winston ‘Niney’ Holness when they were doing a music project together. He was a true professional, extremely talented and knew exactly what he was about. He recorded the track Children and I also worked on the production of the video. The song was used as the official track for Child Month that year and that entire project was taken up by Scotiabank. Out of that partnership came a black tie event at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel and the Jimmy Cliff Foundation was launched. Jimmy Cliff will be deeply missed, but legacy will remain forever.
Clyde McKenzie – entertainment analyst
Jimmy Cliff is a pioneering and towering figure in modern Jamaican popular music and culture. Cliff has been responsible for giving the world some of the most memorable recordings and performances for some seven decades. An incredible performer, he captivated large audiences in various parts of the world most notably Africa and South America. He is one of three Jamaicans inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Cliff was a distinguished songwriter with many notable works performed by others, the most well known being Trapped by Bruce Springsteen. The legendary Bob Dylan noted that the Jimmy Cliff-penned Vietnam, was the best protest song he had ever heard. Through the Perry Henzell-produced movie, The Harder They Come, Cliff cemented himself into the global consciousness as a cultural icon. Cliff was instrumental in the launch and development of Bob Marley’s career and facilitated the recording of Marley’s Judge Not and One Cup of Coffee. I had the great privilege of interviewing him in 2010 for the CPTC. He had a fairly lengthy talk with me and co-host Nadine Sutherland. The interview is still being aired 15 years after it was done.
English (US) ·