'Duppy Gunman' singer Ernie Smith has died

Reggae singer Ernie Smith passed away in a hospital in Florida on Thursday night, his wife, Claudette Bailey-Smith, confirmed. The All for Jesus singer was 80. He would have celebrated his 81st birthday on May 1.

Smith was admitted to hospital on April 7, underwent a surgical procedure, and was awaiting another.

EARLY CAREER

It was in the late 1960s that Smith launched his career in the music industry, and by 1971, he found success with the songs Bend Down and Ride on Sammy. Among his well-loved hits are Pitta Patta, Duppy Gunman and Key Card. In 1972, he won the Yamaha Music Festival in Japan with Life is Just for Living, a song originally written for a Red Stripe commercial.

Recognition from his homeland came in 1973 when he was awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service in the Field of Music by the Jamaican government. The award recognised his contributions to Jamaican cultural heritage through music.