Clifton “Jackie” Jackson, one of the musicians who defined reggae bass, died at Cornwall Regional Hospital in St James on September 23.

He was 79.

His daughter, Jheanell, told the Jamaica Observer that her father was admitted there in July. After an extended stay at the hospital he was released last week. Jackson was again taken to hospital and died at 5:30 the following day.

He passed during 60th anniversary celebrations for rocksteady, the genre he helped make famous.

Jackson played on many of its biggest hits while he was a member of The Supersonics, house band at Treasure Isle studio. They include Girl I’ve Got A Date by Alton Ellis and Little Nut Tree by The Melodians.

In a March 2025 interview with the Observer Jackson spoke about his time at Treasure Isle.

“The greatest legacy of rocksteady is that it’s the best genre of Jamaican music, and it will always be remembered as such. Treasure Isle Studios was special for me because I was given a chance to hone my craft and develop my creative ability without fear or intimidation,” he said.

Fellow bassist Lloyd Parks, who knew him for over 50 years, said Jackson, for all his accomplishments, remained grounded.

“He’s a man I always admire. He was low-profile, very humble, a genuine person. Me, him, and Boris Gardiner always got along,” Parks told the Observer.

Jackson, Parks and Gardiner were featured at the Back 2 Bass-es show at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts last February. Along with fellow bassists Flabba Holt, Daniel “Danny Axeman” Thompson, and Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, they performed songs from their personal catalogues.

From Central Kingston, Jackson was a formally trained pianist. He switched to bass at Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle, where the resident musicians included saxophonist Tommy McCook, organists Aubrey Adams and Gladstone Anderson, drummers Lloyd Knibb and Paul Douglas, and guitarist Hux Brown.

Treasure Isle and the rival Studio One churned out numerous hit songs during the rocksteady craze which ran from 1966-68. Late that decade, Leroy Sibbles of The Heptones became the hot bass player at Studio One. He also paid tribute to Jackson.

Producer and musician Jackie Jackson is flanked by two of his daughters Jheanell (left) and Jhanine. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

“We have had respect for each other from a long time. I will always remember Jackson for the Treasure Isle style,” said Sibbles. “A special line comes to mind…it’s the song called Stealing by John Holt. Rest in peace, General!”

As rocksteady evolved into reggae, Jackson remained prolific. He can be heard on Hypocrites by The Wailers, 54-46, Pressure Drop by Toots And The Maytals, and The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff.

He also played on Mother And Child Reunion by Paul Simon. That 1972 song, recorded at Dynamic Sounds in Kingston, marked the embrace of reggae by pop acts like Al Green, Stevie Wonder, and The Rolling Stones.

Jackson was a member of The Maytals band for 50 years. Along with his wife Karen Smith, who predeceased him in September 2021, he led bands on the Montego Bay cabaret circuit for many years.

Minister Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has said, “Jackie was a sought-after bassist by producers which led to his bass lines complimenting some of the most memorable songs Jamaica has given to the world.

“He played on Desmond Dekker’s international hit Israelites and on recordings by a young Bob Marley and the Wailers. For more than 50 years his bass playing was a defining part of the sound of Toots and the Maytals and he shared in the group’s 2005 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album… Jamaica is richer for his life and his work, and his legacy will play on for as long as the world listens to our music.”

“Jamaica’s music has travelled farther than almost anything else we have produced, and it did so on the talent of people like Jackie Jackson. His contribution remains in the records, in the bass lines, in the musicians he influenced, and in a family musical legacy that continues,” shared shadow minister of culture, creative industries and information Nekeisha Burchell.

In 2012 Jackson was honoured with the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music.

In 2018 the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association honoured him for his exceptional contribution to reggae.

Jackson is the latest veteran reggae musician to die this year. The others are drummer Sly Dunbar, guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore, singer-songwriter Ernie Smith, and singer Stranger Cole.

He is survived by his four daughters — Marie, Jhanine, Jheanell, and Courtni.