MOURNING! The reggae world grieves the passing of the legendary John Holt! Learn more.

Another great legend of Jamaican reggae, John Holt, passed away yesterday (Sunday, October 19). John Kenneth Holt was born on July 11, 1947 (69 years old) and was admitted to a hospital in London, England, fighting a tough battle against colon cancer diagnosed in July. Last month he had already shown signs that the cancer was slowly weakening him when he suffered a heart attack on the stage of "One Love Concert", also in London. Owner of a brilliant career internationally, Holt started when he was just 12 years old and recorded his first single on 1963 ("I Cried a Tear") for producer Leslie Kong. At the beginning of his career he was also known for being part of the group The Paragons. In the years 70 he left Paragons and began his solo career. In the year of 1972, "Stick By Me", one of his classics, was Jamaica's song of the year. He was a great friend and musical partner of Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown, and now joins them upstairs.

IN MEMORIAM

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