KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange and Opposition spokesperson on entertainment Natalie Neita have expressed sadness at the death of reggae singer Frankie Paul.

Paul died at the University Hospital of West Indies (UHWI) Thursday night. He was 52 years old.

Grange recalled Frankie Paul’s contribution to the music since the 1980s, and the inspiration he had become to people with disabilities, especially the blind and the visually impaired.

Born in Jamaica in 1965, Paul, whose real name was Paul Blake, was blind from birth and spent his early life at the Salvation Army School for the Blind.

“Frankie Paul was an extremely talented artiste and musical genius whose skills earned him the title of ‘Jamaica’s Stevie Wonder’ due to his visual impairment, his vocal prowess and skill with musical instruments. It was not surprising that when Stevie Wonder came to Jamaica in October, 1975 to perform on the Dream Concert, which benefitted the School for the Blind, he visited the school, watched Paul perform and was so delighted by his performance that he persuaded Paul to seek a career in music,” Grange said.

Like Wonder, Paul also played a number of instruments including the keyboard.

“I wish to extend sincere condolences to his family and friends, as well as his colleagues in the music industry who mourn his loss. May his soul rest in peace and may his music continue to entertain and inspire us for generations to come,” the minister added.

Meanwhile, Neita said Frankie Paul’s unique voice, rough and gravelly but with strength, power and range, thrilled us all. She said Jamaica has lost a pioneer.

The artiste, who had moved to the African nation, The Gambia in 1994, was a major dancehall/reggae star of the 1980s and 1990s with hits like “Worries In the Dance”, “Pass the Ku Shung Peng”, “Tidal Wave”, “Cassanova” and “Sarah”.