Angus Gaye passed away at 62 years and was an original member of the British group.
The musician Angus “Drummie Zeb” Gaye, lead vocalist and drummer for British reggae band Aswad, passed away this friday 1 from September to 62 years, As confirmed by the group itself on its social networks.
This event closes a sad week for international roots reggae after the death last week of Cecil “Skelly” Spence, founder of Israel Vibration.
“It is with deep regret that we have to announce the passing of our brother Angus 'Drummie’ Gaye. ‘Drummie’ was the lead vocalist of the iconic band Aswad and is much loved and respected by both family and, friends and colleagues”, posted the band.
“More information will be given later, but on behalf of his family and Aswad, We ask that your privacy be respected at this heartbreaking time.. ‘Drummie’ has left us to join our ancestors and leaves a great void both personally and professionally”, he added.
The cause of death “Drummie Zeb” so far it has not transpired.
Born of parents from Granada, Gaye attended Holland Park School in London., where he met his companions with whom he would form the band in 1975, all British with Caribbean descent.
In addition to “Drummie Zeb” on vocals and drums, the original members of Aswad are the guitarist and vocalist Brinsley “Year B” Forde, lead guitarist and vocalist Donald “Dee” Griffiths, the bassist George “Ras” Oban and the keyboardist Courtney “Khaki” Hemmings, forming a very characteristic vocal trio in roots reggae of the time.
In 1976 I arrive Tony “Gad” Robinson after Hemmings' departure, in the only official replacement of members, despite recurring limb movements during those early years.
A) Yes, the band stabilized at Gaye's trio, Robinson and Forde up 1996, where the latter went, With which “Drummie Zeb” remained as the only original member of the band until today.
One of Aswad's milestones is that they were the first reggae band in the UK to be signed to an international label - Island Records.- in the decade of 1970 and quickly became a British reggae classic, public The Guardian.
Known for international hits like “Don’t Turn Around“, “Shine” Y “Give A Little Love”, Aswad also contributed to the campaign Free Nelson Mandela with your success “Set Them Free”, as detailed by the agency that represents the band, Spaine Music.
Aswad, that means “negro” in Arabic, rose to fame in the second half of the decade of 1970 and released more than 20 albums between studio albums, compilations and live recordings, further earned three Grammy Award nominations (1995, 1998 Y 2000).
The band toured the world performing onstage at some of the biggest venues, from the Royal Albert Hall in London, via Jamaica to West Africa and Japan.
Several personalities from the music world have lamented the departure of Aswad's drummer and voice.
Very sad to hear the passing of Aswads Drummie Zeb
— ALI CAMPBELL (@UB40) September 2, 2022
We’ve lost another U.K Reggae pioneer.
Deepest condolences go out to all of the Aswad family @TheRealAswad
Big Love ❤️💛💚 pic.twitter.com/olXt0KEmEW
