Tony Laing, the outspoken broadcaster, cultural activist and musicologist, died Saturday at age 68.

His sister, Markiets Laing, told the Jamaica Observer that he passed away at the Pines Nursing Home at the St Joseph’s Hospital.

Laing’s movement had been considerably restricted since suffering a massive stroke in 2006.

While he had worked with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission on events such as the annual Festival celebrations, Laing became a popular host of Laing And Company, a variety afternoon programme on Power 106 FM that aired five days a week.

He was best known to listeners for the phrase, ‘Love and thanks’.

From west Kingston, Laing was the son of Denzil Laing, a respected percussionist who played on numerous hit songs for producer Clement Dodd.

Laing was also a strident advocate for a proper copyright system in Jamaica, especially for musicians.

“Tony to the very end was a warrior. He was one of the last bastions of dynamite in the (music) industry,” said musicologist/sound system operator Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake.

“He was very outspoken; very knowledgeable.”

Tony Laing is survived by two children, sisters and one brother.

Cecelia Campbell-Livingston