When I first started getting into music as a kid back in the late 60s it was via the UK pop charts and shows like Top of the Pops. I soaked up everything I heard at that time; bubblegum, rock, soul, Motown and reggae. My first exposure to reggae was probably Desmond Dekker, but later it was the voice of James Chambers a.k.a. Jimmy Cliff that drew me even further into the heart of this fabulous style of music. I was saddened to hear of the passing of Jimmy Cliff a few days ago and I have been playing my way through his varied and incredible back catalogue since then. So many of his songs carried a hopeful positive message, particularly “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” and “You Can Get It If You Really Want”. The latter was not a chart success for Cliff but contemporary Desmond Dekker took it to number two in the UK chart in 1970. “Vietnam” was a minor hit for Cliff in 1968. It was this song that Bob Dylan called the best protest song ever written.
Jimmy played the leading role of Ivan “Ivanhoe” Martin, in the Jamaican film “The Harder They Come” in 1972. It was the first major film release to come from Jamaica and make forays into cinemas across the world. Half of the twelve songs on the soundtrack album were written and performed by Jimmy Cliff, including the title track. The film and the soundtrack helped give broader worldwide appeal to this hypnotic music from a small Caribbean island. As well as a canon of great self penned songs Jimmy made some stunning covers of other peoples songs, notably Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now”. His career spanned six decades and he released at least thirty albums. His first single release was “Hurricane Hatty” in 1962. He went on to have hits in many countries across the world including two top ten hits in the UK.
He won many honours including the prestigious Order of Merit, one of Jamaica’s highest recognitions for service in arts and culture. At the time of his death he was the only living reggae artist ever to hold that honour. He is also one of only two Jamaicans to have been inducted in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame, the other being Bob Marley. I only saw him play live once, I wish it had been more. That was at the O2 Academy in Leeds back in August 2014. That night he played for nearly two hours including three encores. Jimmy Cliff’s passing deprives the world of a wonderful talent and a beautiful human being. Now Jimmy has crossed his final river, rest in peace Jimmy Cliff and thank you for making music!
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