Reggae star Bionari and Landmark star Feldion The Hard They Come dies at 81

I’m sitting in limbo It was fun but hopeful to spend life in endless travel. You can find it if you really want to The theme song called for action and a final push pledge: “How hard it is, still hard, one.” His fourth sacrifice, he was tired of crying Many rivers to cross“A Testament of Gospel Style” was written after dealing with racism in England in the 1960s.

He said: “It was a very frustrating period. I came to England with very high hopes, and I saw my hopes disappear.” Rolling Stone In 2012.

Music lives in it

Cliff’s works have been collected by It’s hard when they come But after a hiatus in the late 1970s, he worked hard for decades, taking on session work with the Rolling Stones and collaborating with Wyclef Jean, Sting, Annie Lennox and others. His first music came to life. The Sandinistas were used in Nicaragua You can find it if you really want to As part of a campaign with Bruce Springsteen, he helped expand Cliff’s US audience with his live cover of Reggae Star’s song. They’re stuckIt was included on the 1985 million-selling album Charity Cham We are the world. Other artists of his songs include John Lennon, Cher and UB40.

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“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of music icon and reggae star Jimmy Cliff at the age of 81,” a message shared on UB40’s official Instagram page read. “At last I fell into the last river. RIP Jimmy, your music will live forever.”

Cliff has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards and won twice for Best Reggae Album: 1986 Interesting ending And in 2012, Bassem Bassem His birthIt is widely considered his best work in years. His other albums include the Grammy Award-nominated Power and glory, -And knowledge And 2022 release They are not refugees. He performed Steve Van Zandt’s anti-barthed anthem Wortem Sun City He worked in the comedy Robin Williams Paradise Clubwho contributed several songs to the soundtrack and sang with Elvis Costello on rock Seven on the weekend.

In 2010, Cliff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

James Chambers was born in Suburban St. James, and represented Evan Martin in between It’s hard when they comeHe moved to Kington in his youth to become a musician. At the beginning of the 1960s, Jamaica was gaining its independence from Britain, and the sounds that led to reggae music were dominated – sections called Ska and RockSteady. Calling himself Jimmy Cliff, he made many local appearances, including… King of kings and Miss JamaicaAfter overcoming the kinds of obstacles that add up to Martin, he was asked to help represent his country at the 1964 World Championships in New York City.

“[Reggae] It’s pure music. He said He is drowning In 2022. “I grew out of the need for recognition, ownership and respect.”

Approaching Stedim

His popularity increased in the second half of the 1960s, and he signed a contract with Island Records, the world’s leading reggae label. Island founder Chris Blackwell tried to appeal to a rock audience, but Cliff still managed to reach a new audience. He was hit by a cat cover The wild worldIt reached the top ten in Britain in lifting Wonderful world, beautiful people. Cliff heard a wide chant, VietnamIt was partly inspired by a friend who served in the war and returned unharmed beyond recognition.

His success as a recording artist and concert singer led Hensel to seek out a meeting with him and agree to accept the role: “You know, I think he’s a better actor than singer,” Cliff recalls. i know that It’s hard when they come Perhaps such was the success of Jamaican cinema that he freely desired stardom, although Cliff was astonished at the extent of his fame.

“In those days, there were very few of us of African descent coming through the cracks to get any kind of recognition,” he said. Caretaker In 2021. “It was easier in music than in movies. But when you start seeing your face and name on the side of buses in London, it’s like: ‘Wow, what’s going on?’

Six songs that defined Cliff’s music – and reggae – career

Miss Jamaica (1962)

Singing to simple, somber music, Cliff had a way of sounding upbeat and with nursery-sounding elements like the anthem: “Red roses / I love you / I love you.”

He also joined a long folk tradition praising this kind of exquisite beauty: “Even though you may not be in the best shape/To fit the world/You fit me and that’s all I need to know.”

Vietnam (1968)

Like Marvin Gaye What’s going on here? And Other War Songs, Cliff Vietnam It was derived from the fear of those who served overseas. Vietnam It was eantothi, a hymn with a mel-vi-et-nam cadence, see, “This word is the death word of a soldier who will return home the next day to find his death.

Wonderful world, beautiful people (1969)

One of Cliff’s many talents was to look clearly at life as it was, and to imagine exactly what it could be—a paradise made real by melody, feeling, and song. Wonderful world, beautiful peopleThe idea is so inevitable that even the likes of US President Richard Nixon and British Prime Minister Harold Wilson are unable to stand in its way. “This is our world, don’t you see? / Everyone wants to live and be free.”

Many rivers to cross (1969)

On stage, he would sometimes jump for joy, but Cliff could also scream deep notes of despair. Somber, gospel style Many rivers to cross Inspired by the discrimination he faced in 1960s England, it told a story of immigration, longing, weariness and coming together – but never winning.

“I only live because of my pride,” he tells us, a variation on the old hopeful voice.

You can find it if you really want to (1970)

Cliff’s political songs endured so much, partly because they were so visual, and partly because they offered hope without the promise of easy success. Launched by Randy Horne Reef, You can find it if you really want to It has a simpler shape VietnamBut only as determined by the wind. “You have to try, try, try, try, try,” Cliff warns. “The oppression you must endure / win or lose to get your lot.”

It’s hard when they come (1972)

The main track in the film represents the highest point in its success, It’s hard when they come It has a spiky, muscular beat, the kind that might herald the final march of mass protests.

It is a sermon of vengeance against oppressors – “solid mobile, one with all” – and earthly rewards for those who have plundered: “So surely I will have the sun.”

Wing

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