Jimmy Cliff, the musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actor who helped propel the genre of reggae music from his home nation of Jamaica to the wider world through such universal hit singles as ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ (1968), ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’ (1969), and his cover of the Cat Stevens’ song ‘Wild World’ (1970), as well as the 1972 vitriolic crime drama The Harder They Come (and the film’s powerful title track), has died at the age of 81.
A message from his wife Latifa Chambers on Instagram reads: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career … Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.” Her message was also signed by their children, Lilty and Aken.
Jimmy Cliff is one of very few musicians – including Bob Marley – to be awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit and the impact and influence of his music was recognised today in a tribute paid by the country’s Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, who said “his music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations, and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”
I can vividly recall seeing him on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival on a scorching Saturday afternoon in June 2003 performing the Johnny Nash song ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ with its hugely symbolic lines “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone… It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), Sun-shiny day,” capturing perfectly the spirit and vibe of the occasion.
Photo of Jimmy Cliff on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival in 2008: Simon Godley
