Barry Llewellyn Dead: Jamaica Reggae Founder Dies At 64

The Associated Press

KINGSTON, Jamaica — One of the founders of a leading Jamaican reggae and rocksteady trio from the 1960s has died.

A bandmate says Barry Llewellyn of the Heptones died Wednesday at age 64. Lead singer Leroy Sibbles said Friday that Llewellyn died of unknown causes at Kingston Public Hospital.

Llewellyn founded the Heptones with Earl Morgan in the late 1950s. The group was considered highly influential during the island's rocksteady era in the 1960s.

The Heptones reunited in the 1990s after a nearly 20-year absence during a worldwide ska and rocksteady revival.

Llewellyn is survived by his wife, Monica, and several children.

Listen to The Heptones' "I Shall Be Released":

Comments

[PathofTotality]

03:10 PM on 11/28/2011

The Heptones always get a thumbs up on my Pandora Reggae station. Enjoy the lack of a mortal coil Mr. Llewellyn.

[WorkhelpWorkhelp]

03:52 AM on 11/28/2011

RIP sir. Thank you for the great music.

[Jlbeaverton]

02:50 PM on 11/27/2011

I saw them once in Santa Cruz. An all time favorite show next to the skatalites and Desmond. The heptones will always be a fond part of my musical history.RIP

[rajoro]

09:32 AM on 11/27/2011

Musical history...

[emberbb]

08:20 AM on 11/27/2011

Never heard of the group, but the song is great. I like the beat of that music.

[drasna]

07:05 AM on 11/27/2011

If Barry was 64 when he died, he would have been born in 1947.
So, if he founded the group in the late 1950's, let's say 1959 -- that would make him 12 years old at the time. Is this correct? Or was his age at the time of his death closer to 74?

[rkerr10164]

08:05 AM on 11/27/2011

ease up sherlock

[ImNoBody]

10:31 AM on 11/28/2011

Another source say the group was started in 1965 ...
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/Entertainment/-Barry-Heptones--dies-in-hospital_10257086

[frankfromlanc]

02:54 AM on 11/27/2011

The Heptones were one of the great bands of all times

Peace be with you brother

[Puss-catel]

01:40 AM on 11/27/2011

Isn't there too much ganja smoking on the Reggae scene? Huge blunts and constant inhalation so everybody can feel "happy"? Inevitably it does most of the great ones in...

[jenarms81]

03:58 AM on 11/27/2011

he died of unknown causes.. could be anything

[PhotoTronTheDaddyPhantom]

07:32 AM on 11/27/2011

Maybe you should do a bit of research about the Spiritual Aspects of Ganja Smoking for Rastafarians. The Tourists come and buy it to "feel happy". Rastas use it as a tool to "reason" with each other and bring them closer to Jah. Was King Solomon a "Pot Head"? It was found in his burial site. So I guess he smoked it because he wanted to "feel happy"?

[GlennMihwa]

12:24 AM on 11/27/2011

So close to medicare...He paid in all those years....He paid in for over 40 years and then dies before he collects a penny in benefits. How many millions pay in for decades and decades only to die early?
Where does all that money go? To the deceased's beneficiaries? No..TO THE GOVERNMENT COFFERS.....

[billa88205]

12:56 AM on 11/27/2011

Wrong. It is factored into a formula that goes to his beneficiary (wife). If that doesn't apply and there are no eligible beneficiaries, it goes into the General SS Trust Fund that assists other eligible people, some of whom may very well be relatives.

[dolphingrl7]

03:20 AM on 11/27/2011

yet we hear all the time SS is broke

[dhefu]

01:44 AM on 11/27/2011

Ahh, he was Jamaican, BTW that is a different country. No medicare, something else, were you just looking anywhere for an chance to make your point?

[ray4rs2000]

11:05 PM on 11/26/2011

One of the great rock steady groups in the evolution of Jamaican music. Songs like Baby, I Shall Be Release and their Book of Rules were testimonies to the quality of music they generated. May Barry soul rest in peace.

[mebemommee06]

11:00 PM on 11/26/2011

had the pleasure of visting Jamaica numerous times.. Love the island, the people and their music!!

[Escalonz]

10:58 PM on 11/26/2011

Creative music that I really enjoy and my condolences to his family and friends.

[teegerard]

09:58 PM on 11/26/2011

RIP ... THANK YOU FOR BOB MARLEY

[Joaniejaye]

09:31 PM on 11/26/2011

I was born and raise in Jamaica. Reggae music helps me to stay highly motivated. I am still dancing to them today. RIP my brother, you did a super job.

[Jahrastafari]

09:28 PM on 11/26/2011

Grew up listening to The Heptones because my parents were huge fans. RIP.