Reggae legend Max Romeo dies at the age of 80

Quelle: VIDEOELEPHANT (Glomex)

The Reggae icon Max Romeo, known for the mix of rebellious hits and politically charged Roots Reggae, has died at the age of 80 in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, from heart complications. His lawyer confirmed his death and called him a "gentle soul" and "a legend in his own right". Romeo became famous in 1968 with the controversial hit 'Wet Dream', which defined the genre of 'rude reggae' and made it to the British Top 10, despite being banned by the BBC. In the 1970s, when Jamaica was facing political unrest, his music shifted to socially conscious themes. He became a vocal supporter of the PNP and contributed the campaign anthem 'Let the Power Fall on I' for Prime Minister Michael Manley. His most famous work, the 1976 released 'War Ina Babylon', produced by Lee 'Scratch' Perry, included titles like 'Chase the Devil', which were later sampled by artists like The Prodigy and Kanye West. Born as Maxwell Livingston Smith, Romeo started performing as a teenager and had initial success with the group 'Emotions'. His solo breakthrough came almost by chance when he recorded 'Wet Dream' after other singers dropped out of the session. Later, Romeo delved into spiritual themes in 'Revelation Time' and continued recording and touring into his later years. He also briefly lived in New York, performed in the Broadway musical 'Reggae', and collaborated with the Rolling Stones.