Culture
Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff, the Voice of ‘I Can See Clearly Now,’ Passes Away at 81 After Pneumonia
Reggae Legend Jimmy Cliff Dies at 81 After Seizure and Pneumonia
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff — the artist behind hits like “I Can See Clearly Now” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want” — has passed away at 81, his wife Latifa Chambers, announced via his Instagram page. “With deepest sorrow, I inform you that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, had to ‘cross over’ as a result of a seizure followed by pneumonia,” she wrote, expressing her gratitude to the people who supported him throughout his life journey: family, friends, artists, and colleagues.
The Grammy winner’s death was made known on Monday, Nov. 24.
Latifa Chambers Expresses Gratitude to Fans and Medical Staff — One Last Message to “My Darling”
Latifa Chambers, in a note on Jimmy Cliff’s Instagram, thanked the world for the global support saying: “To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his power to carry on his whole career. He really loved and cherished every single fan for their love.”
After that, she also thanked the doctors: “I want to thank Dr. Couceyro and the entire medical staff, as they have been very supportive and helpful during this hard time.” In the end of her memorial, Chambers, referring lovingly to her husband as “my darling,” wrote: “May you rest in peace. I will do as you wish.”
Fans Flood Comments After Latifa Chambers Requests Privacy
Latifa Chambers, in her declaration, urged the public to respect their privacy: “It is my hope that all of you can respect our privacy during these difficult times. More information will be given at a later time. We see you and we feel you, Legend.” Along with the post, she wrote “Latifa, Lilty and Aken” which is a reference to the artist’s children.
Following the news, the fans didn’t hesitate to express their admiration in the comment section. One of them said, “Jamaican music lost one of its greats! #RIP legend,” and another one wrote, “We love you forever — thank you for being you and for giving so much to our world through your music & love for humanity. You are a shining light… Our heartfelt sympathy to the family. Go up, dear Legend, in all your glorious power #JimmyCliff.”
From Church Choir to Reggae Icon
Cliff, who was originally named James Chambers and was born in St. James Parish, Jamaica in 1948, started singing in church when he was six years old and later moved to Kingston when he was a teenager. He changed his last name to Cliff to represent the “cliff” or the highest point of success that he wanted to reach. Cliff got the ball rolling with his first single, “Hurricane Hattie,” in 1962 and eventually penned timeless songs like 1969’s “Many Rivers to Cross” and 1972’s “The Harder They Come” which was the name of the movie where he played the character Ivan Martin.”
Chart Success, Grammys and a Rock Hall Induction
One of the most recognizable pieces Cliff did was his 1993 cover of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now” which appeared on the soundtrack to the sports comedy Cool Runnings and went up to No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, as per Billboard. Throughout his lifetime, he was nominated for Grammy seven times and managed to win twice: in 1985 for best reggae recording for Cliff Hanger, and in 2013 for best reggae album with Rebirth. The musician was honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an induction in 2010.
