JUNIOR Byles, whose anti-establishment songs typified the roots-reggae movement of the 1970s, died on May 16 at Kingston Public Hospital (KPH). He was 76.

The singer-songwriter’s sister, Janet Byles, told the Jamaica Observer that he had been admitted to KPH two days earlier. She said Byles’ blood count had fallen precipitously, resulting in physical deterioration.

Byles — best known for songs like Fade Away, Curly Locks and Beat Down Babylon — suffered from mental illness for most of his life. That stalled a promising career which took off during his association with the eccentric Lee “Scratch” Perry who produced Curly Locks, Beat Down Babylon and A Place Called Africa, another of Byles’ hit songs.

Despite the challenges of caring for her brother, Janet Byles said, “We considered it a blessing to have him. Junior is at rest now; he put up a good fight.”

Born Kenneth Byles Jr, he was the second reggae great to die in one month. Singer Max Romeo, another Perry associate, died in April at age 80.

Byles and Romeo were part of the musical bandwagon that travelled throughout Jamaica with the People’s National Party (PNP) in 1971, as part of its campaign for the February 1972 General Election which the party won convincingly.

After recording Fade Away for guitarist/producer Earl “Chinna” Smith in 1974 Byles suffered a psychological breakdown that saw him roaming the streets. His plight received widespread media coverage in Jamaica and overseas.

Largely because of Fade Away’s dancehall revival in the 1990s Byles found a new audience. The song has also been covered by Della Manley and Irish singer Sinead O’Connor covered Curly Locks.

The second of auto mechanic Kenneth Byles’ eight children, Junior Byles was a fireman when he started his recording career as a member of harmony group The Versatiles in the late 1960s. He went solo early the next decade and found instant success with Perry.

Junior Byles is survived by four of his five children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one brother, and five sisters.