KINGSTON, Jamaica—Rupie Edwards, the singer/producer who entered the British national chart in 1975 with Irie Feelings (Skanga), was laid to rest on Thursday, April 2, in Beckton, east London.

Dennis Alcapone, his friend of over 50 years, earlier confirmed Edwards’ death but said details of his passing are scanty.

Edwards started his career as a singer in the early 1960s, recording songs as a solo act, then with harmony groups The Ambassadors and The Virtues. He branched out into production late that decade, operating out of Orange Street, West Kingston.

The Heptones, Gregory Isaacs and Johnny Clarke were some of the artistes who recorded for Edwards’ Success label. He scored a big hit in 1972 with President Mash up The Resident by deejay Shorty, which was followed two years later by Everyday Wondering by Clarke.

The latter set the tone for Irie Feelings (Skanga) in 1975. That song heard Edwards toasting to Everyday Wondering, which caught on in the UK through distribution from the all-reggae Trojan Records. Irie Feelings (Skanga) entered the Top 10 of the British national chart in early 1975.

Edwards never recaptured that level of success. By the 1990s, he focused mainly on producing gospel music and reissuing his catalogue through independent companies like Trojan and Trybute.

There are no details of Rupie Edwards being survived by immediate family.

-Howard Campbell