Lenford “Brutus” Richards, a veteran guitarist who toured with Burning Spear and Garnet Silk, died in Port Antonio on May 24. Devon Bradshaw, his brother-in-law and fellow musician, confirmed his death.

Bradshaw told OBSERVER ONLINE that Richards was pronounced dead at Port Antonio Hospital. The previous day, he had been discharged from the Annotto Bay Hospital in St Mary where he was being treated for a blood clot in one of his legs.

Richards came from a batch of Portland musicians who emerged during the late 1970s. Others included drummer Nelson Miller who recruited Richards and Bradshaw to play in Spear’s Burning Band.

Inspired by George Benson and Carlos Santana, Richards and Bradshaw were members of Silk’s Jahpostles Band during the early 1990s. He also played with the Jolly Boys, a mento band from Portland.

Bradshaw, who plays bass guitar, said Richards was his musical mentor.

“Di little dat mi know ’bout my instrument is Lenford teach mi. God bless mi through Lenford. He was a teacher for everyone,” he stated.

But for the occasional jam session, Richards had retired from music and operated a gaming business in his hometown.

Lenford Richards is survived by his wife Donna, a daughter, two sons, four grandchildren and a sister.

-Howard Campbell