The Rolling Stones mourn “the sweetest of voices”

Jimmy Cliff’s death shocked the world of reggae… and not just reggae. Demonstrating the importance that the Jamaican legend has had in the history of music, two of the Rolling Stones also shared their farewell to Cliff.

Mick Jagger shares a photo of himself and Jimmy Cliff, a happy memory, in black and white, as they laugh and drink together at Cliff’s performance at the Ritz Hotel in New York in 1981. “It’s so sad to lose the wonderful voice of Jamaica, Jimmy Cliff.”

These are the words chosen by Keith Richards to remember the Jamaican reggae and soul musician: “Goodbye Jimmy, I was in Jamaica when ‘The Harder They Come’ was in every cinema on the island. You could feel the pride and love for Jimmy everywhere. The sweetest voice, the sweetest soul. His music will live with us forever! Heartfelt condolences to his family”.

Cliff, Richards and Jagger had a long-standing friendship, which began with Richards’ frequent visits to Jamaica in the 1970s. Cliff would later lend his background vocals to the Rolling Stones song “Too Rude” in the 1980s. Meanwhile, it seems that Cliff and Jagger were neighbors in London, when Cliff was becoming an actor in the 1970s, until he landed the role in “The Harder They Come”, for which he also wrote the soundtrack.

You can read Rockol’s memory dedicated to Jimmy Cliff here.