Laurel Aitken dies, the godfather of Ska. Learn more about the career of this great artist. Check it out!

The singer and songwriter Laurel Aitken, known as "the godfather of ska", died on Sunday (17/07) in a hospital in Leicester, England. At 78 years old, he succumbed to a heart attack. Born in 1927 in Cuba, Aitken immigrated to Jamaica as a boy. As a teenager, he sang in calypso groups. In 1957 he participated in the emergence of the recording industry in the country when he recorded for the newly opened record label Island. He was one of the first artists to record a ska album, a rhythm that appeared on Jamaica during this period. In the 60s, he lived in London, becoming the first "Jamaican" singer to promote his work in the United Kingdom, paving the way for Bob Marley, Lee Perry and many others. Among his most famous songs are "Fire in Mi Wire", "Pussy Price" "Rudy Got Married" and "Skinhead Train".

IN MEMORIAM

Check out this and other legends that have already left us, in the special section "In Memoriam".