Today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the nation — and, indeed, the world — will bid farewell to the legendary Jimmy Cliff, artiste extraordinaire in an official funeral set for the National Indoor Sports Centre.

In his 63-year career, Jimmy Cliff crossed paths with some of the biggest names in music — Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Fela Kuti, and Gilberto Gil.

Despite his global fame, the singer-songwriter retained strong ties with artistes in Jamaica, his homeland.

World-famous for his role as Ivan in The Harder They Come, James “Jimmy Cliff” Chambers died on November 24 at age 81. His widow, Latifa, said he died from pneumonia days after suffering a seizure.

Many tributes have been paid to the veteran, who was born in the district of Somerton, St James.

Mick Jagger, UB40, and Cat Stevens were among those saluting him on social media.

Several of his Jamaican colleagues also acknowledged Cliff’s vast legacy in interviews with the Jamaica Observer Senior Writer Howard Campbell. We share a few:

Inner Circle band

Today, we say goodbye to our friend and reggae legend Jimmy Cliff. From the stages we shared to the moments that defined a generation, his spirit and message uplifted us all.

Your legacy is eternal, brother. Rest In Power.

Copeland Forbes, former manager

Jimmy Cliff was not just a reggae singer, he was a Jamaican musical ambassador. Very quiet person off stage, but a musical monster and great entertainer on stage.

I have lots of great memories during my time working with Jimmy; I will always remember that great tour of Brazil we did in 1980 along with Brazilian star Gilberto Gil, who himself had recorded a version of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry in Portuguese, which was another hit in Brazil. The show in Salvador Bahia drew in excess of 56,000 fans.

Another memorable moment with Jimmy was in 1982 when the National Football League Players Association chose The Harder They Come as their theme song for that year and the president of the association Jim Brown (the actor) invited Jimmy and his band Oneness to perform at their grand gala convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Lennie Little-White, cousin and film-maker

We were just two little country boys who went to the river for a daily bath. Jimmy would always drift into solitude — Sitting in Limbo as it were — and harbouring dreams of becoming a pop singer. From the outset, he believed that he would get it because he really wanted it. This was the wellspring that made Jimmy always work harder to straddle musical genres as the quintessential singer and actor.

While music was the blood in his veins, Jimmy always saw himself as a Pentecostal country preacher, following in the footsteps of his father, Deacon Polly, the village tailor. This was the root of Jimmy’s musical compositions which not only entertained, but never failed to inspire.

This conscious spiritual zeal is what gave Jimmy his energy as he had Many Rivers to Cross to become an international troubadour that straddled diverse musical genres. Notwithstanding his becoming a worldwide citizen, Jimmy never left his roots that still sprout at his birthplace in Somerton, St James. This is the legacy of the original Bongo Man who knew that, even with his natural talent, he was always re-inventing himself because he had a rebel inside, so no one could make him fall — no matter how hard they came.

Play on, Bongo Man Jimmy…

Locksley Gichie, from The Cimarons

It was around 1970/71, Struggling Man was kicking up the place and Jimmy asked us if we could back him in concert in Crystal Palace. Working with him was a good experience; musically, he took us to another level. Rehearsal was like clocking into a nine-to-five job. We started at 9:00 am, lunch break was at 12:00, we returned at one and finished at five; it was a good experience for us. To have discipline in music made us tighter. The show in 1:00 pm. Crystal Palace had people talking for weeks. The discipline he taught us stayed with us.

RIEP Jimmy.

Freddie McGregor, singer, musician, producer

I love uncle Jimmy, one of the champions who made it possible for a youth like me. Over the years my interactions with the legend have been nothing but encouragement and good vibes. I have learned so much from him… his ability to write songs, his performance on and off stage, and his general knowledge of the music business. He is definitely one of my teachers, and will be sadly missed, but his music and legacy will live on for generations to come.

I truly love and admire you, Uncle Jimmy. Rest in power, my general, may your spirit guide over us always.

Hopeton Lindo, singer

I was introduced to Jimmy Cliff by producer Gussie Clarke at Music Works studio and I was so impressed by the respect he showed me. I was working on a Gregory Isaacs album project at the time and Jimmy eventually featured on the song Jealousy. He loved the song and the collaboration was released in 2011 on Gregory’s Reggae Anthology album. I definitely consider working with him a great achievement and a blessing.

Wayne Armond, guitarist, former member of Jimmy Cliff’s band

I heard Jimmy was doing an album at Mixing Lab recording studio and I was told by Clive Hunt and Computer Paul to come to the studio. I heard Jimmy ask, “What dat Chalice man doing on my session?” But I played on the song (I Can See Clearly Now) and he asked me to come back and do some more songs. Eventually I played for six years in Jimmy’s band, travelling the world and learning a lot. It was an honour to work with him, I don’t regret one day.

Twiggi, singer

We did many works in the studio, where I did harmonies on Jimmy’s projects either by myself or with a special group of us that always worked together on vocals. This group comprised Pam Hall, Sharon Forrester, and Nadine Sutherland. Some of us worked on one of his biggest hits, I Can See Clearly Now, and I personally recommended a group of us to do supporting vocals on
Hakuna Mata, a Disney production.

Jimmy was very impressed with my vocals and offered me an opportunity to tour with him also. I was not able to accept that offer because I was busy touring with Toots and The Maytals, while also fulfilling my obligations as a Penthouse (Records) artiste on tour.

Apart from the music, we were like family. I endearingly called him Uncle Jimmy and was always very close to his daughter Odessa, who made me familiar with the rest of the children. I got to see a personal side of Jimmy that most never experienced — him around his family as a great and loving father and husband.

He will be greatly missed by all.