Reggae singer Barry Brown died Saturday on the premises of the Sone Waves Recording Studio at Ivy Green Crecent in Kingston where it was reported that he fell and hit his head.

For some time now, Brown had been battling a substance abuse problem in addition to his asthmatic condition which led to a gradual deterioration of his health.

The Studio One artiste whose death follows closely on the heels of his legendary producer Clement "Sir Coxsone" Dodd with whom he recorded album Roots and Culture, is credited for such 1970s hits as Far East, Step It Up Youth Man, Natty Rootsman, Not So Lucky, We Just Can't Live Like This, Politician, Cool Pon Your Corner, Jah Jah Fire, Mafia, Jah Jah Say among others.

Old school deejay Winston "King Stitt" Parks describes Barry Brown as a " very good singer" while veteran crooner Ken Boothe remembers him as a consistent hit-maker in his heyday.

"In his time, he was going on well. He sang some songs that everybody loved", Boothe told the Observer.