Reggae crooner Gregory Isaacs, who rose to international fame in the late 1970s, died in London yesterday after of lung cancer at age 59.
"Gregory was well loved by everyone, his fans and his family, and he worked really hard to make sure he delivered the music they loved and enjoyed," said his wife Linda said. "He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Rolling Stone, Guardian, BBC.
From the LA Times article on the passing of the performer known as "The Cool Ruler"—
Isaacs also cultivated an outlaw persona — a "rude boy" in Jamaican slang. He had frequent run-ins with the authorities (he once estimated his number of arrests, mostly on drug- and gun-related charges, at around 50) and suffered from a serious cocaine addiction.
Video Link: Isaacs performing his 1978 hit "Tune In" on Earl Chin's "Rootsman" show that same year.
Isaacs' best-known hit was "Night Nurse," in 1982. Amazon discography here.
