March 22, 2016
Reggae artiste Jimmy Riley dies at 61
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Reggae artiste Jimmy Riley died earlier today in New York, United States.
Riley died at the age of 61 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born Martin James Norman Riley in 1954 in Jones Town and, although he formed the Sensations and was a leading member of the Uniques, which was led by the late Slim Smith, he was also very popular as a solo artiste with hits including “Love & Devotion”, “Rougher Yet”, “My Woman’s Love”, and “Black Mother’s Prayer”.
Riley, who is reggae star Tarrus Riley’s father, also nurtured his son’s early career, which has developed into one of the most successful in the current reggae market.
Balford Henry