The Life and Legacy of Jamaican Music Icon : Jimmy Riley

Martin James Ziggy Norman Riley, popularly known as Jimmy Riley, was a remarkable Jamaican singer with a rich musical legacy. Born on 22 May 1947 in Jonestown, Kingston, Jamaica, Riley grew up in the vibrant Waterhouse district. He attended Kingston Senior School, where he crossed paths with Slim Smith, who would later find success as a member of The Techniques and  father of Popular reggae/dancehall singer Tarrus Riley.

Inspired by Smith's achievements, Riley aspired to join The Techniques. Although he initially played a supportive role, carrying things for the group and contributing to harmonies, he eventually formed his own group called The Sensations. The group consisted of Cornell Campbell, Buster Riley (brother of The Techniques' Winston Riley), and Aaron "Dego" Davis. The Sensations caught the attention of producer Arthur "Duke" Reid during a successful audition and went on to achieve mid-1960s success with hits like "Everyday is Just a Holiday" and "Those Guys".

In 1967, Riley left The Sensations and joined forces with Slim Smith and Lloyd Charmers to form the re-formed version of The Uniques. The group experienced tremendous success with songs like "Watch This Sound" and "My Conversation". After The Uniques disbanded, Riley embarked on a solo career, initially recording for Bunny Lee before venturing into independent recording.

As a solo artist, Jimmy Riley produced his own recordings and collaborated with artists such as Slim Smith and Delroy Wilson. Throughout the 1970s, he enjoyed several hits, including "Tell The Youths The Truth", "Nyah Bingi", and "Clean up the Streets". In the 1980s, he continued his success by working with Sly & Robbie's Taxi productions. In fact, his rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" topped the UK reggae chart in 1983.

In the late 1980s, Riley took a break from his career and relocated to Miami. However, he returned to Jamaica in the early 1990s to reignite his passion for music. Remarkably, his son Tarrus Riley followed in his footsteps and achieved great success, which also revitalized Jimmy's career. The father-son duo performed together at various festivals, including the Ocho Rios Seafood Festival in 2007.

In 2008, Jimmy Riley collaborated with Sly & Robbie once again for the album "Sly and Robbie Presents Jimmy Riley: Pull Up Selector." The album featured a title track that included a special appearance by Tarrus Riley, further highlighting the family's musical talent. Jimmy continued to evolve his sound, and in September 2013, he released the album "Contradiction," featuring guest appearances from Tarrus, Sizzla, and Fantan Mojah.

Tragically, Jimmy Riley passed away on 23 March 2016 in New York at the age of 68 after battling cancer. His contribution to Jamaican music and reggae will forever be remembered. His unique style and heartfelt performances have left an indelible mark on the industry.

For more information about Jimmy Riley and other Jamaican artists, visit www.purejamaicamedia.com , where you can explore the vibrant world of Jamaican music and culture.