Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaican songwriter and film star behind hit songs such as “You Can Get It if You Really Want” and “Many Rivers to Cross”…has died aged 81.
The news was announced by his wife, Latifa, in a post to Cliff’s official Instagram page which said:
“It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia. I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and co-workers who have shared his journey with him. To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career.” Ms Chambers said her husband appreciated “each and every fan” for the love they showed him, while also thanking the medical team who were “extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process”.
Cliff, born James Chambers, became one of reggae’s first global stars thanks to a string of timeless anthems including “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” and his soulful take on Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now,” which gained renewed attention in the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings.
The Jamaican prime minister, Andrew Holness, was among those paying tribute to Cliff, calling him “a true cultural giant whose music carried the heart of our nation to the world… Jimmy Cliff told our story with honesty and soul. His music lifted people through hard times, inspired generations and helped to shape the global respect that Jamaican culture enjoys today.”
In 2010, Cliff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a rare honor for a reggae artist. At the time of his passing, he held the distinction of being the only living reggae musician to have been awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit, the nation’s highest honor for achievement in the arts.