REGGAE MUSIC IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF JIMMY RILEY.
Legendary Reggae Singer Jimmy Riley, father of popular Reggae crooner Tarrus Riley, is dead. The Jamaican reggae singer passed away from cancer at his own house, in Florida, on Wednesday (March 23, 2016).
Jimmy Riley had a long and brilliant career that started very young, around the age of 14, and went on to become an icon in reggae music, known for classic reggae hits like “Love and Devotion,” “Give Thanks & Praise” and many more.
His first success came as a member of The Sensations (with Cornell Campbell, Aaron “Bobby” Davis, and his brother, Buster Riley), who recorded such hits as “Everyday Is Just a Holiday“for Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label in the mid-1960s.
While not too many details surrounding his death are known, he was battling cancer for several years.
The whole reggae community has been reacting to his death, including his son Tarrus Riley, who is reportedly very affected and even wrote “F*** cancer,” on his Instagram page.
Listen to Jimmy Riley – Love and Devotion
“RIP Jimmy Riley. Condolences to Tarrus Riley and the family. It is gonna be rougher yet on earth but you are now with your maker, enjoying all the beauty he promised us in heaven! Walk good till we meet again my BREDREN,” Mr. Vegas wrote on Facebook.