Jamaican reggae singer, Junior Byles, He died on Thursday 15 May at Kingston's public hospital at 77 year old, As reported on Friday the media of Jamaica.
The artist, whose real name was Kenneth Bylles Jr., He jumped to fame at the beginning of the 70 by its powerful voice and deep letters, With a rasta inspiration reggae style, leaving a legacy of immortal songs like “Beat Down Babylon” , “Fade Away” Y “Curly Locks”, among other, all of them of great international impact at the time.
Byles was a firefighter while acting as a group member The versatiles At the end of the years 60 and at the beginning of the 70 He recorded his own material with the legendary producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.
Nevertheless, His promising career was affected by a mental illness and there are reports that he was often wandering the streets and had benefited from the financial aid of other artists.
Prostate cancer was diagnosed at the end of the decade of 2010 Y, at the beginning of 2019, a charity concert was held by celebrating his music to help him, In addition to a great cash donation to Byles from the beneficial foundation of Dancehall Bounty Killer in 2020.
While, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sports Jamaica, Olivia Grange, regretted the death of the singer, One of Roots Reggae artists on the island.
“Junior's contribution helped create the powerful force that reggae music has become the world. When recording some of the best Roots-Reggae songs, He collaborated with some of the brightest musicians throughout the years, from the decade of 1960, When he joined the industry”, Grange raised, as published The Gleaner.
further, He stressed that he has been recognized in life after last February he received THE REGGAE GOLD Award along with other eximios singers, as Marcia Griffiths, Ken Boothe, Maxi Priest, Roy Rayon, Richie Spice, Linval Thompson, Errol Dunkley, Buffons of the Beverley Kelso.
“And I must emphasize the important thing that is honoring our unconditional while they are alive and can enjoy the honor and That is why I am happy that Junior Byles was among those who received the reggae gold award At the Reggae Gold Awards ceremony held during the month of the reggae 2025″, The minister added.
