Jimmy Cliff

Real Name: James Chambers
Birthday: 1 April, 1948 Hometown: St. Catherine, Jamaica
Biggest Hit Singles: Wonderful World, Beautiful People, number six, 1969, Wild World, number eight, 1970
Career Highlights: Grammy Award winner, University Of West Indies Bob Marley Award, 2007.

Often criminally overlooked, Jimmy is the cool man of reggae. He started singing in Jamaica in the early 60s before moving to Britain in 1964 to start a proper recording career at Island Records. Amongst pop fans he is best known for songs like Sittin’ In Limbo and You Can Get It If You Really Want.

Although he had minor hits with Wonderful World, Beautiful People and Vietnam (which Bob Dylan said was the best protest song he’d ever heard) when he first moved to London, an up-and-coming Bob Marley, also on Island, was beginning to draw the limelight.

And it wasn’t until 1985 that Jimmy became a recognised artist worldwide, four years after the death of Bob Marley. He released Cliff Hanger that year, earning him a Grammy Award and international fame.

In 2002 Jimmy’s Fantastic Plastic People album came out, and was instantly heralded a classic. He had collaborated with Joe Strummer (The Clash), Annie Lennox and Sting. These days the reggae veteran prefers to make electronic music.

Although Jimmy is a distinguished reggae star, he is often better known for his acting. He starred in gritty dramas like The Harder They Come and Club Paradise, which also starred Robin Williams and Peter O’Toole.