15 Jamaican Celebrities You May Not Have Known Are Dead

Alton Ellis (1938 – 2008) Known widely as the “Godfather of Rock Steady,” he had a string of hits, including I'm Just a Guy, Girl I've Got a Date and Get Ready Rock Steady. He passed away in 2008 from multiple myeloma, a form of bone cancer. Desmond Dekker (1941 – 2006) Dekker rose to prominence after releasing numerous musical hits that introduced Jamaican reggae to the world. His song 007 (Shanty Town) made it onto the soundtrack of the 1972 Jamaica reggae film The Harder They Come. He died of a heart attack in 2006. Anthony Doyley (1955 – 2011) Born in Trench Town, Jamaica, Doyley recorded tracks with legendary producer Lee “Scratch” Perry and as part of the group Knowledge, formed in 1974. He died in London in 2011. Dennis Brown (1957 – 1999) Brown was hailed as a child prodigy and called the "Crown Prince" of reggae music. His hits include Some Like It Hot, Cassandra, Westbound Train, My Time, How Could I Leave, Ghetto Girl and In My Pocket, which landed among the U.K.'s Top 10. He died of respiratory failure in 1999. Barry Brown (1962 – 2004) A hitmaker in the late 1970s, Brown emerged on the dancehall scene with tracks like No Wicked Shall Enter the Kingdom of Zion and Politician. He also recorded a number of songs with legendary producer Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd. He passed away in 2004 after he fell and hit his head at the Sone Waves Recording Studio. Wayne Parkinson AKA Baby Wayne (1968 – 2005) He came on the dancehall scene in the early 1990s and was remembered from dancehall hits in the early 1990s, including Mama, Caa Live So, and Mi Know Mi Fren. He died of complications arising from pneumonia in 2005. Gerald Levy AKA Bogle (1964 – 2005) Bogle came to prominence in the early 1990s when he created a self-titled dance, immortalized in song by popular DJ Buju Banton. He went on to create dances such as the Urkel, World-a-Dance, and more recently Row Like a Boat. He was shot and killed at the peak of his career as he had just started recording. Cherry Smith Green (1943 – 2008) Green was one of the original members of the Wailers, the band that became Bob Marley's legendary Jamaican backing group. She died of a heart attack in 2008. Sugar Minott (1956–2010) Dubbed the "Godfather of Dancehall," Linton Minott, popularly known as Sugar Minott, pioneered the dancehall style of laying new vocal tracks over original 1960s backing tapes instead of using live musicians in the studio. He made a smash hit with his cover of Michael Jackson's We've Got a Good Thing Going. Minott died in 2010 from a heart condition. Christopher Harrison AKA Simpleton (1971-2004) Simpleton rose to dancehall prominence with his song Coca Cola Bottle Shape in 1992. He had other singles, but his career was cut short when he suffered a heart attack and died in 2004. He was 33 years old. Cynthia Schloss (1948 - 1999) Referred to as Jamaica’s songbird, Schloss made an impact on the reggae scene with songs such as Surround Me with Love, As If I Didn’t Know, You Look Like Love and Love Me Forever, which sold over 100,000 copies. She died of heart complications in the arms of her husband in 1999. Gregory Isaacs (1951-2010) Dubbed "The Cooler Ruler" a nickname he earned as a result of his 1978 album, Cool Ruler, Isaacs had a string of self-released albums and singles on his own African Museum label. He hit big with the 1982 classic Night Nurse. It's been estimated that the singer released up to 500 albums (including compilations) in Jamaica, the U.K., and the U.S. combined. Isaacs passed away at his home in London following a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Demar Graham AKA Copper Cat (1989-2011) Graham was the adoptive son of reggae superstar Richie Stephens. With singles such as Mek It Stay, Friend Murderer and Life Goes On, Copper Cat had started to garner a buzz on Jamaica’s music scene. His life was cut short when he was murdered for a cellphone in 2011. Alty Nunes AKA J.O.E (1986-2011) Jah Ova Evil or J.O.E. was a rising star known for his uplifting and positive lyrical content with singles such as Tonight and Rasta Chant. He began his musical career from a tender age when he was introduced to voice training. He died in 2011 from a burst blood vessel in the brain. O’Neil Edwards (1974 – 2010) A member of the popular dancehall trio Voicemail, Edwards gained fame for his smooth vocals and dance moves. The group had several hits including Wacky Dip, Nuh Behavior and Ready to Party. He was destined to be in the music business, following in the footsteps of his father, well-known Jamaican recording artist and producer Rupee Edwards. The younger Edwards’ life was cut short when he was shot and killed in 2010.

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