Artists Pay Tribute to Reggae Pioneer Jimmy Cliff: Jorma Kaukonen, Bob Marley Family, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Widespread Panic and More

Hana Gustafson on November 25, 2025

“Jimmy Cliff – Festival du Bout du Monde 2012 – 012” by Thesupermat is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Jimmy Cliff, the Jamaica-born artist who helped popularize reggae and introduce the genre to audiences beyond the palm-lined island nation, passed away on Monday, November 24. Over his 81 years, Cliff had the world singing “The Harder They Come,” “Beautiful World, Beautiful People,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” “Many Rivers to Cross,” and other tunes synonymous with his soulful, vivacious musical verve.

Following Cliff’s passing, contemporaries responded on social media, penning tributes to the reggae pioneer.

Jorma Kaukonen:

In 1972 I was unaware of Jamaica as a country, Reggae as a music genre or any of the Caribbean Island’s traditions. Jerry Garcia came by my house on Yerba Buena in St. Francis Wood and he brought me the soundtrack album from the movie, The Harder They Come. Back then I was still mostly listening to traditional blues both acoustic and electric as well as a little chamber music and some world esoterica found on the Nonesuch label back then. My horizons were about to be expanded!

Anyway, there was a knock on the door and there was Jerry Garcia with the Harder They Come album in hand. ‘You gotta hear this stuff. It’s amazing!’ He was ebullient. We put the disc on the turntable, fired up the de rigeur fatty and listened to both sides. Then we listened again. It was an anthology from the movie soundtrack. There was something about the groove not to mention the lyrical content that just pulled me in. A half a lifetime later in 2007 I would record By The Rivers Of Babylon myself on my Stars In My Crown Album. By this time we would understand the reggae groove a little better but in 1972 it was just pure magic.

Time marches on as it does and attention spans ebb and flow. I would continue to listen to Reggae offerings from time to time but it is not my main jam and I was not as tuned into its evolution as my good friend John Hurlbut who is my Obi Wan in these matters!

In May of 2015 there was a Dear Jerry gig honoring Jerry Garcia at the Merriwether Post Pavilion and I was honored to be asked to be a part of it. It was a truly star-studded event and a trip down the Internet rabbit hole about this gig is time well spent. Anyway, Jimmy Cliff was one of the performing artists and I got chance to tell him how much I loved his work from an earlier age.

I’m sure it is not coincidence that I discovered Jimmy Cliff through Jerry Garcia’s intervention and that thanks to Jerry a lifetime later…

I would meet Jimmy and thank him for introducing me to reggae! He was a warm and gracious man indeed and it was an honor to meet one of my musical heroes from an earlier time! He was a great one!

[On Behalf of Bob Marley], Ziggy Marley and Rebel Lion Studios:

Our condolences to the family and loved ones of brother @jimmycliff as he makes his transition. Jimmy was an instrumental figure in Bob’s coming up, having brought him to producer Leslie Kong in 1962 to record his very first singles, “Judge Not” and “One Cup Of Coffee.”

Reporter: How and when did you start making music?

BOB: “Well, I was about sixteen, living in Trench Town (Kingston 12). I always loved singing, I loved music, so over a period of time I wrote some songs and eventually did some recordings.”

Reporter: Was that with Leslie Kong?

BOB: “Yeah, Jimmy Cliff took me to see him around ’62. Jimmy was big then because he already had a hit name ‘Hurricane Hattie’ and later ‘miss Jamaica’ another big one. I really love Jimmy because he always tries to help people out.”

Yusuf / Cat Stevens:

Jimmy Cliff was a powerful presence in my life – he always seemed to be there at crucial stages on my journey. We had success together in the early days with Wild World, we bumped into each other by strange and wonderful coincidence on pilgrimage in Mecca, and we also connected at the Mandela 46664 concert that marked my return to mainstream music. GOD BLESS HIM, his songs always had some message of peace – may he find it now and forever

Widespread Panic:

Rest easy, Jimmy Cliff

On Behalf of Jerry Garcia:

We’re saddened to hear of Jimmy Cliff’s passing. Jerry always carried a deep love for his songs, and you could feel it every time JGB played “The Harder They Come” or “Sitting in Limbo.” When Jimmy joined the band at the Greek in 1989, it felt like worlds colliding in the best way. Years later, his presence and performance at Dear Jerry lit up the night with his easy grace. Rest easy, Jimmy, and thank you for the joy you brought into this world.

George Porter Jr.: [See cover of “Sitting Here in Limbo,” below]

RIP Jimmy Cliff!

UB40/ Ali Campbell:

Absolutely heartbroken to hear about the passing of a Reggae forefather Jimmy Cliff.

A true foundation, a pillar of our music, and one of the first to carry reggae out into the world.

Jimmy wasn’t just a legend, he was a light.

From The Harder They Come to Many Rivers to Cross, he opened doors for all of us who came after. His courage, his spirit, his melody… they shaped the path we walk today.

Jimmy Cliff gave us Bob Marley Early in Bob’s career, Jimmy Cliff worked as a “tester” (A&R) for Leslie Kong’s Beverley’s Records. Cliff listened to new artists’ demos and selected what he thought was promising.

That’s exactly how Bob Marley got his first recording deal Bob auditioned, Cliff heard five of his songs, and he picked out three “Judge Not”, “One Cup of Coffee”, “Terror” to pitch to Kong

Those songs became some of Marley’s first official recordings

Every time I step on a stage, I’m reminded of the giants who laid the groundwork, and Jimmy was one of the greatest. A man of heart, humility, and unbelievable talent.

Rest easy, King.

Your voice lives forever and your legacy will keep inspiring generations of reggae lovers across the globe.

Vybz Kartel:

RIP TO THE LEGENDARY JAMAICAN 🇯🇲 SUPERSTAR REGGAE ICON AND FILM LEGEND

Shaggy:

Saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary Jimmy Cliff. His voice, his message, and his spirit helped shape the soul of reggae music. We’ve lost a true icon, but his light and legacy will live on forever.