Max Romeo, Celebrated Reggae Singer, Dead at 80

Max Romeo has died. The reggae singer behind such hits as “War Ina Babylon” and “Chase the Devil,” died of heart complications on April 11, in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, The Guardian reported. He was 80.

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In a statement to the outlet, Romeo’s lawyer, Errol Michael Henry, addressed his client’s death.

“To hear of his passing is quite shocking,” Henry said. “He was a perfect gentleman, and a gentle soul. He had great love for his family, and he was a legend in his own right. You couldn’t meet a nicer person—which makes the loss more difficult.”

Romeo’s official Facebook page also posted about the singer’s death.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Max,” the post read. “We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and tributes and kindly ask for privacy at this time. Legends never die.”

Additionally, in a statement to DancehallMag, Romeo’s daughter, Azana Smith, spoke out about her dad’s death.

“The family is devastated right now,” she said. “My father Maxie Smith is not in this dimension anymore, he is not here for me to speak with but he lives on. The family is mourning and asking for privacy at this time.”

Max Romeo’s Career

The Jamaica-born singer’s first success came with the band The Emotions, who put out songs including “(Buy You) a Rainbow.” In 1969, his solo song “Wet Dream” became an unmitigated hit.

Two years later, Romeo’s Let the Power Fall debuted. The album, which began Romeo’s politically-focused music, included covers of Neil Diamond and Bob Marley songs, as well as his own track, “Let the Power Fall on I.”

Romeo’s next hit came with 1976’s “Chase the Devil,” which has since been sampled by artists including JAY-Z and Kanye West.

Amid a collaboration with producer Lee “Scratch’ Perry, Romeo put out War Ina Babylon, which included the hit song of the same name.

A move to New York saw Romeo co-write and star in a musical titled Reggae. While in New York, Romeo also performed backing vocals on the Rolling Stones’ “Dance (Pt. 1).”

He went on to release many more albums in the decades that followed, culminating with his final LP, Words from the Brave, in 2019.

Photo by David Corio/Redferns