Johnny Golding, whose Swing Magazine covered the Jamaican entertainment scene for over 10 years, died on April 26 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. He was 83.

His brother, musician Steve Golding, told the Jamaica Observer that he died from natural causes. Johnny Golding, a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, had lived in Ethiopia for 15 years.

“He always wanted to be on the continent. He died where he wanted to be,” said his younger brother.

Johnny Golding, who attended Kingston College, joined his father John senior in management at the family-owned Golding Printing Service in Kingston during the 1950s.

In 1968, he launched Swing Magazine which was initially named Akara News, named after the Akara nightclub he operated at the time in Bull Bay, St Andrew.

At the height of its popularity during the 1970s, Swing Magazine covered the hottest acts in reggae as well as hip spots and sports.

Golding also staged the annual Swing Awards which honoured top performers in entertainment.

Steve Golding, a founding member of the Fabulous Five Band who currently tours with roots group Israel Vibration, said Johnny was a man of his times — an Afro-conscious go-getter.

“That generation was really about get up and go. A lot of people don’t know this but Johnny was one of the early exponents of offset printing in Jamaica,” he said.

Johnny Golding is survived by “several children and many grandchildren”, three sisters and six brothers. George, another of his younger brothers, also has strong music ties, having managed acts like Anthony B and Third World.