This is a tribute to the great Jimmy Cliff who passed on 24 November 2025.
Born James Chambers, he is considered one of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians. I have an amusing Jimmy Cliff anecdote to share with you readers.
Jimmy Cliff was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. I loved his hit songs – “Vietnam”, “You Can Get It If You Really Want”, “Many Rivers To Cross”, “I Can See Clearly Now”. Cliff also starred in the movie “The Harder They Come”.
To me, Jimmy Cliff transcended more than just the reggae music genre, he was a mainstream music icon. As a music-loving teenager, I was rivetted to his hit song “Vietnam”, which was banned in Singapore in 1970.
Jimmy Cliff anecdote: I had the honour of hanging out with Jimmy Cliff backstage years ago. We were in a green room chatting before his performance, just two of us. I know him to be a deeply spiritual man. Jimmy, suddenly in mid-conversation, looked at me all serious and enquired, “Can I ask you a personal question?”. I braced for something cosmic and spiritual. And he said, “Are you Japanese?”.
Backstage with the icon, Jimmy Cliff (above image).
Jimmy Cliff, Enlightenment (above image). I love how his hands are in sync with the spotlights.
Jimmy Cliff, Zen On Sofa (above image).
Jimmy Cliff, At One With The Universe (above image).
My B/W image Jimmy Cliff made the cover of Canon magazine, BUZZ (above image).
Rest In Power, Jimmy Cliff!
