Guitarist Rupert Bent Jr, who played with a number of top reggae acts including Third World, Sean Paul, and Dennis Brown, died on January 4 at National Chest Hospital.

He was 57 years old.

Bent, who was born in Canada, is the son of Rupert Bent II, an airline pilot and accomplished guitarist who played on Lips of Wine, Dennis Brown’s first hit song.

At the time of his death Bent was in his third stint with Third World. He co-wrote their 1989 hit single,
Forbidden Love, as well as co-produced, co-wrote and co-engineered Generation Coming, the band’s Grammy-nominated 1999 album.

Third World co-founder, guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, described Bent as “a valuable human being” and “an outstanding talent”. He knew of him through family ties, but they got acquainted personally and professionally when Bent moved to Jamaica in the 1980s.

He joined Third World in 1989 after a one-year stint with Julian Marley. After spending the same time with Dennis Brown (1995-1996), Bent took a break from touring then rejoined Third World in 1997 for four years.

Bent also toured with Sly and Robbie, then had a seven-year (2005-2012) run with Sean Paul when the deejay was racking up platinum albums and singles. His recent sojourn with Third World started in 2020.

An accomplished sailor, Bent piloted a 40-foot wooden sail boat from Kingston Harbour to Morocco in 2018.

Rupert Bent Jr is survived by his wife, Michelle Serrant-Bent, his parents, and sister Jana.

— Howard Campbell