Wycliffe Johnson Dies at 47

The Associated Press reported Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson died last Tuesday in New York at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital at 47 years of age.

Weeks prior to his death, Johnson had surgery for a blood clot in his brain. He lived in Kingston, Jamaica but moved to Brooklyn this past summer to treat kidney problems due to hypertension and diabetes, according to an interview with Johnson’s sister for the New York Times.

Johnson was known as a ground-breaking and innovative producer, part of “Steely & Clevie”. Along with producer Cleveland "Clevie"Browne, the pair led music production in Jamaica for years. In the 1980s, Steely & Clevie transformed the sound of reggae, implementing digital technology with the roots of reggae. Johnson worked with an array or artists, including Sean Paul, No Doubt and Billy Ocean. He was also known as a remarkable keyboardist and worked with Bob Marley when he was just 18 years old.

-Ashley Thompson
Currently listening to “Love Songs” by Michael Sparrow.

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