Singer Jackie Brown, who had success as a balladeer in the 1970s, died last Thursday in Queens, New York. He was 69.

His manager, Yvonne Young, told the Jamaica Observer that Brown recently underwent eye surgery and had been discharged from hospital.

A diabetic for many years, he had a leg amputated six years ago, Young said.

Brown’s best known songs are Send Me The Pillow, Little Miss Hard to Get and Fat Girl. His easy-listening songs were similar to laid-back hits of the 1970s by singers Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington and Carl Malcolm.

Born in Portland, Brown was the brother of music producer Castro Brown. He was a member of the Jamaica Defence for seven years before starting his recording career in the early 1970s.

Moving to the United States in 1981, he continued to record and perform mainly in his adopted home of New York City. Brown also performed regularly in Brazil where he had a large following.

Jackie Brown is survived by his wife, brother and 10 children.

— Howard Campbell