Jimmy Cliff’s Hometown Mourns Legendary Reggae Star Following His Death
Source : CNW
Western Jamaica is grieving the loss of one of its most beloved sons: reggae icon Jimmy Cliff, who died on November 24 at age 81 following complications from pneumonia and a seizure.
Cliff, born James Chambers in the rural Somerton district of St. James, quietly carried the soul of his birthplace into every stage he graced. His wife, Latifa Chambers, confirmed his passing in a statement on his social media, calling his decades-long influence “a gift to Jamaica and the world.”
In Montego Bay — the city that includes his childhood stomping grounds — community leaders, musicians, and residents have expressed deep sorrow. Montego Bay’s Mayor, Councillor Richard Vernon, said Cliff was “a true Jamaican ambassador who gave his all to this country,” adding that his legacy reaches far beyond the charts and screens, touching the very identity of Jamaica.
A Hometown Tribute: Jimmy Cliff Boulevard
The respect for Cliff in his home parish was already deeply ingrained. On March 28, 2019, Gloucester Avenue, popularly known as the “Hip Strip” in Montego Bay, was officially renamed Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in his honour.
The decision was made by the St. James Municipal Corporation in 2017, and the renaming ceremony was held at Old Hospital Park — the very grounds said to be near where Cliff was born. Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, then speaking at the ceremony, praised Cliff’s role as a global musical force, while Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange called for a statue to be erected in his honor.
The renaming wasn’t just symbolic: Montego Bay’s leadership noted that millions of visitors would now encounter his name on a street that is central to the city’s tourism heartbeat. “Visitors to the island will now be able to identify with the name ‘Jimmy Cliff’… a name etched among some of the greatest musicians of all time,” said then Montego Bay Mayor Homer Davis.
Local Voices in Grief
Musicians and historians are also sharing their grief and admiration. Barbara Blake Hannah, a historian and musicologist, recalled working with Cliff around the time of the London launch of The Harder They Come, highlighting how the film helped immortalise him. “The film made Jimmy Cliff immortal,” she said, calling their bond a lifelong friendship.
Reggae artist Mackie Conscious, from Montego Bay, described how Cliff’s songs — Many Rivers to Cross, I Can See Clearly Now, The Harder They Come — are woven into the north coast’s musical soul. “He shaped a generation of performers who learned from his artistry,” he said.
In local business circles, the tribute is no less heartfelt. Jason Russell, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, cited the Jimmy Cliff Boulevard designation as a symbolic reminder of his significance and the city’s gratitude for his contributions to Jamaica’s global image.
Cliff’s passing is not just a national loss; it is a deeply personal one for his hometown — a place that put his name on its most iconic boulevard, and now, in its collective heart.
“Walk good, Jimmy Cliff,” said Tourism Minister Bartlett. “Your legacy will live on here — on the boulevard, in our music, and in our souls.”