Jamaican dub and reggae legend Lee “Scratch” Perry has died at the age of 85, the prime minister of Jamaica announced.
Known for his pioneering work producing records for groups such as The Congos and Bob Marley & The Wailers, Perry was at Noel Holmes Hospital in Lucea, Jamaica, when he died Sunday. The cause of death was not immediately revealed, according to the Jamaica Observer.
“My deep condolences to the family, friends, and fans of legendary record producer and singer, Rainford Hugh Perry OD, affectionately known as ‘Lee Scratch’ Perry,” Prime Minister Andrew Holness tweeted.
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My deep condolences to the family, friends, and fans of legendary record producer and singer, Rainford Hugh Perry OD, affectionately known as “Lee Scratch” Perry. pic.twitter.com/Eec2MEd6yC
— Andrew Holness (@AndrewHolnessJM) August 29, 2021
Perry was born in Jamaica in 1936 and spent his life cultivating a musical style that transcended the Caribbean island nation.
In the 1950s, Perry began working with Clement “Sir Coxsone” Dodd, selling records and later working at Dodd’s recording studio, Studio One. In 1968, Perry performed his major single “People Funny Boy” on his own label, Upsetter Records.
Perry went on to produce for world-renowned outfits like The Beastie Boys and released more studio works with The Upsetters band, such as the hit 1976 album Super Ape.
When asked by the Guardian in 2016 about what inspired him to become involved in music, Perry said it was “Love — to tell the truth and speak the truth.”
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“Only the truth can save people. So to tell the truth on record and in the studio. God loves the truth. And whenever you are not dealing with the truth it is not good,” Perry added.
