Known for hits including You Can Get It If You Really Want, The Harder They Come, and Many Rivers To Cross, his career spanned six decades.
His wife, Latifa Chambers wrote on Instagram: “It’s with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia.
“I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
Thanking the medical staff who helped during his illness, she added: “Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes.”
Signed by his wife, and two of his children, Latifa and Lilty, the statement concluded, “We see you Legend”.
A two-time Grammy-winning artist, Cliff was awarded the Jamaican Order of Merit in 2003 – the highest honour in the arts and sciences, from the Jamaican government.
Over the years, he would work with stars including the Rolling Stones, Elvis Costello, Annie Lennox and Paul Simon.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
A prolific writer, frequently expressing his humanitarian views through his work, he was also well known for cover versions of songs including Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now, which appeared on the soundtrack of the 1993 movie Cool Runnings, and Cat Stevens’ Wild World.
An actor as well as a musician, Cliff starred in the 1972 cult classic The Harder They Come, a movie credited with bringing reggae to the world, as well as showing a grittier and more realistic side to Jamaica.
The storyline revolved around Cliff’s character, Ivan, moving to Kingston, Jamaica to make it as a musical superstar.
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