Roland Burrell, who had a #1 song in 1982 with Johnny Dollar, died in Montego Bay on May 14.

His death was confirmed by his cousin, producer Earl Messam.

He told the Jamaica Observer that the singer died suddenly but was unable to give the cause of death.

Burrell, who was from Pennants district in Clarendon, was raised in Trench Town.

He began recording music in the early 1970s but it was not until the summer of 1982 that he got his break with the recording at Channel One studio for producer Alton “Tanka” Hill.

The song was a cover of American soul singer Garnet Mimms’ 1964 hit A Quiet Place.

Johnny Dollar featured Sly and Robbie, who at the time were the hottest musicians in reggae.

It topped reggae charts in Jamaica, the United States, and United Kingdom.

Burrell followed up Johnny Dollar with Stormy Night, another Hill production, which also did well in Jamaica and the UK. That song was originally done by Creation Steppers in 1975.

Two years ago, Burrell recorded a version of Johnny Dollar for Wildfire Records, a Philadelphia-based label owned by Messam.

Many of Burrell’s recent songs were produced by Messam, including My Conversation, You Have Caught Me, and Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.

Burrell is survived by four children and grandchildren.