Roy “Kenneth Culture” Dayes, an original member of roots-reggae group Culture, died on October 19 at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH), his family informed the Jamaica Observer.

He was 74.

Tamara Dayes, his daughter, said her father was admitted to the intensive care unit at the KPH one month after undergoing surgery at National Chest Hospital.

Born in Golden Hills, rural St Andrew, Dayes formed Culture in 1975 along with Linstead natives Joseph Hill and Albert Walker.

They recorded a number of classic songs, including their signature Two Sevens Clash, Jah Jah See Dem A Come, and I’m Not Ashamed.

Dayes recorded and toured with Culture for 20 years before leaving the trio in the early 1990s. In a 2016 interview with the Jamaica Observer he gave frustration as the reason for his departure.

“Mi tour di whole world an’ all yuh can get is pure promotion, no money. After a while mi get tired a di promotion,” Dayes said at the time.

His daughter said he continued to record songs and performed on shows as Kenneth Culture.

Walker is the sole survivor of the original line-up.

Hill, who was Culture’s best known member, lead singer, and chief songwriter, died in 2006 at age 57 while touring Germany.

Roy Dayes is survived by 17 children, numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

— Howard Campbell