Conrad Kelly, a stalwart British drummer who played with many reggae acts, including Steel Pulse and UB40, died in London on May 8 at age 64.

Steel Pulse guitarist and founder David Hinds confirmed Kelly’s passing but was unable to give the cause of death. He told the Jamaica Observer that Kelly was recruited in 1994 to replace long-time drummer Steve “Grizzly” Nisbett as part of the Grammy-winning band’s touring unit.

Kelly, who never played on any of Steel Pulse’s studio albums, left them in 2005.

Born in Jamaica, he moved to the United Kingdom as a child and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham, where Steel Pulse formed in 1975.

Hinds recalls Kelly being a member of Cornerstone, a local reggae band, and knew of his skills as a drummer. He was a perfect successor for Nisbett, who played on Steel Pulse’s outstanding albums such as Handsworth Revolution, True Democracy, and Earth Crisis.

“I was surprised that he knew Steel Pulse songs word for word. When it came to being steady, he was steady,” said Hinds.

Kelly also played drums in bands that backed acts such as Barrington Levy, Lieutenant Stitchie, I Jahman Levi, and Earl Sixteen whenever they toured the United Kingdom and Europe.