Thousands of fans Honored Jimmy Cliff in his Native Jamaica in a Joyful Tribute That Celebrated His Life, Legacy, and Spirit

KINGSTON, Jamaica — There were clear instructions from the start: no long faces, no somber energy, no tears without joy. And for the most part, the crowd inside a Kingston gymnasium understood the assignment as Jamaica celebrated the life of reggae icon Jimmy Cliff.

“Jimmy didn’t want a sad or somber occasion,” said Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s minister of culture. “He gave so much of his life to delivering music.”

Cliff, the legendary singer behind classics like “Many Rivers to Cross” and the star of the groundbreaking film The Harder They Come, died last month at age 81. Nearly a month later, Jamaica — and the world — was still gathering to honor a man whose voice helped define the nation’s sound and spirit.

Among those in attendance was 84-year-old Purcell Johnson, who attended Somerton Elementary School with Cliff.

“I had to be here,” she said, smiling broadly. “We used to play while attending school and on our way home. I am proud of him. He has done well.”

Johnson fondly recalled Cliff’s playful personality, saying he often teased her as a child, calling her “Little Tuku” because of her height.

A Messenger to the World

The tribute blended pride with remembrance, featuring live music, dance performances, and recorded interview clips of Cliff seated at a mixing board. The celebration echoed his wishes — vibrant, expressive, and alive.

Songs including “Bongo Man,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” filled the room. The ceremony was broadcast live, drawing viewers from New York to the United Kingdom, and included video messages from artists such as Shaggy and Sting.

“We pause to honor a man whose voice, music, and spirit carried his nation far beyond its shores long before the world truly knew our name,” said Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Holness emphasized that Cliff was more than a performer.

“Jimmy Cliff was a messenger — one who carried the story of this small island, its struggles, resilience, faith, and beauty to the widest possible audience,” he said. “Jimmy Cliff didn’t merely entertain the world. Jimmy Cliff uplifted the world.”

A Life Lived in Full

Those who spoke throughout the tribute stressed that Cliff lived the values he preached in his music.

Terry Ann Hamilton Stewart, 38, attended while breastfeeding her three-year-old son. She recalled visiting Cliff’s recording studio in Kingston as a child.

“Jimmy is a legend,” she said. “He used to give me lunch money and tell me to study my lessons.”

Another attendee, Carlton Darby, dressed in leopard-print regalia and a crown representing Kenya’s Pokomo Tribe, described Cliff as a foundational figure in reggae history.

“He was there even before Bob Marley,” Darby said. “I’m here to pay my respects.”

Justine Henzell, daughter of The Harder They Come director Perry Henzell, spoke about Cliff’s lasting presence in her life.

“It is daunting to eulogize a man who had so many facets,” she said, noting that despite his “original rude boy” reputation, she never saw him lose his composure.

Cliff’s widow, children, and extended family also took the stage. His brother, Victor Chambers, reflected on traveling the world with him and witnessing the impact of his music firsthand.

He read aloud the names of Cliff’s 19 children seated in the audience.

“Please know that you are not alone,” Chambers said. “You carry your father’s spirit, strength, and love with you always.”

In true Jimmy Cliff fashion, the day was not defined by mourning, but by movement, music, and meaning — a celebration worthy of a man who helped carry Jamaica’s voice to the world.