One of the great figures of reggae, Jimmy Cliff, has died at the age of 81 due to complications from pneumonia, his wife, Latifa Chambers, announced on Monday via social media. "With deep sadness, I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, passed away due to a seizure as a result of pneumonia," stated Chambers, who wanted to remember all who "have walked with him." "To all his fans around the world, know that your support was his strength throughout his career. He is one of the two Jamaicans in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with Bob Marley." Cliff was also a film actor and starred in an essential film of Jamaican cinema, 'The Harder They Come' (1972), for which he also handled the soundtrack. He is credited with introducing reggae to the United States. Cliff helped spread the sound of Jamaica worldwide with hits like 'The Harder They Come' - the film's main theme -, 'I Can See Clearly Now', or 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'. In 2012, he won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for 'Rebirth', and in recent years he worked with Ghanaian producer Kwame Yeboah, with whom he returned to purer reggae. Cliff's influence has been recognized by artists such as Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox, or Paul Simon, with whom he collaborated. Others like Bruce Springsteen, Willie Nelson, Cher, New Order, or Fiona Apple have recorded versions of his songs. While Bob Dylan proclaimed 'Vietnam' as "the best protest song ever written," as highlighted on Cliff's official website. In an interview with EFE in 2015, he stated that "music is like oxygen. We all need it to keep living and it is what unites us all." And after a career of over 60 years, he continued to search for his best song. "I'm chasing it all the time. If my music can inspire someone and make them want to live a better life and not give up, for me it is a great success." "He truly appreciated the affection of each of them," he added. Born on July 30, 1944, in Saint James, Jamaica, James Chambers began participating in music contests from a very young age, and at 17 his career took off with 'Hurricane Hattie' after convincing Chinese-origin producer Leslie Kong to record his first tracks. His consecration came in 1969 with his self-titled album, which contains classics like 'Many Rivers to Cross', 'Vietnam', and 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People'. Star of reggae and ska. He moved to the United Kingdom and became a star of reggae and ska.
