EUPERT “Ras Kidus” McFarlane, a stalwart of San Francisco’s reggae scene for 40 years, died in that city on November 27 at age 74. His wife, Steffi, told the Jamaica Observer that he succumbed to “an unrecoverable brain bleed”.

The Kingston-born singer/drummer was a member of Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus’s touring band which went to the San Francisco Bay area in 1980. He laid down roots there and started the Roots Connection Band two years later.

They became popular in San Francisco and toured the United States with Burning Spear, the I-Three and Toots And The Maytals. In 1982 Ras Kidus And The Roots Connection released their self-titled debut album.

In 2003 he moved into acting, eventually appearing in several independent films including Rude Boy: The Jamaican Don in which he played Shotta. The following year he played Rhino in Gangsta’s Paradise.

Ras Kidus suffered a stroke in 2008. Three years later he developed an aneurysm that required major surgery and rehabilitation.

His health challenges are documented in the documentary Bionic Roots: Ras Kidus, Spiritual Messenjah. Ras Kidus’s final songs, Where is Jah Love and Strong Like A Lion in Zion, were released in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.