Jimmy Cliff will continue to inspire generations

THE EDITOR, Madam:

James ‘Jimmy Cliff’ Chambers was a proud Jamaican, living legend, a cultural icon and multi-talented musical genius. He was a great songwriter and singer, an actor, dancer, musician, and a most energetic performer on stage.

He was a pioneer of reggae and a global ambassador who introduced our music to the world. His songs portrayed his passion, philosophy and purpose, with timeless themes of consciousness and oneness, challenges and struggles, determination and resilience, injustice and poverty, love and peace.

Jimmy Cliff was conscious and proud of his African ancestry; ‘’captured on the banks of the River Nile and taken far beyond the seven seas’’. And was well aware that our foreparents “toiled under the sun moon and stars’’ during bondage. No wonder he declared in The Harder They Come that ‘’I would rather be a freeman in my grave; than living as a puppet or a slave’’.

Cliff was a great motivator when he sang about Struggling Man, Hard Road to Travel and Many Rivers to Cross, but You can get it if you really want!

In an endearing manner he highlighted injustice and poverty; ‘’some people have more than their share when there are so many hungry mouths in the world to feed’’ and ‘’How can there be peace, when there is no justice?’’

‘’We all are one.’’ He was a humanitarian who recognised the oneness of creation and encouraged us to ‘’save our planet Earth’’ convinced ‘’all could make it a better way with our love put together’’ to create a Wonderful World, Beautiful People.

Cliff was the epitome of creativity, longevity, indefatigability, fame, fervour and faith. His creativity was boundless from ska, to rock steady, reggae and soul. He successfully fused different musical genres.

Fame and fortune never let Jimmy Cliff lose his fervour to aim Higher and Higher, get better and do something special for fans. I watched my all-time favourite artiste perform live at Rebel Salute at Port Kaiser in 2005. It was an endearing, energetic, electrifying, most enjoyable performance; filled with most memorable moments.

Sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Jimmy Cliff’s life and music will continue to inspire and uplift us and future generations. May his soul, the spirit of unending life, journey on higher and higher to oneness and perpetual peace.

DAIVE FACEY

dr.facey@gmail.com