Jamaican Reggae icon Max Romeo dies aged 80

Max Romeo, the legendary Jamaican reggae star popular for tracks such as Stealing in the Name of Jah and One Step Forward, has died at the age of 80.

The news was shared on the artist’s social media channels, confirming that he passed away from heart complications in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, on Friday (April 11).

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

Born Maxwell Livingston Smith on November 22, 1944, Max Romeo began his musical career in Kingston in the mid-’60s with the vocal group The Emotions, after meeting reggae legends Bob Marley, Toots Hibbert and Peter Tosh.

> Your Guide to the Best Radio Shows in Kenya (2025)

His 1968 single “Wet Dream” soared to the UK Top 10, charting for a staggering 25 weeks despite being banned by the BBC.

After the success of that song, the musician released two of his most iconic albums in quick succession: A Dream in 1969 and Let the Power Fall in 1971.

Throughout the ’70s, he was closely associated with the social democracy movement in his home country, with his song Let the Power Fall being used by the People’s National Party during their successful 1972 election campaign, when Michael Manley became the first socialist Prime Minister of Jamaica.

In 1978, Max Romeo relocated to New York City, co-writing and starring in the musical Reggae and contributing backing vocals to The Rolling Stones’ Emotional Rescue (1980).

While there, he continued to make music until 2023, when he announced that he had decided to retire from the music business and would embark on a 50-show farewell tour in Europe, which was successful.

> “Beat ya Clemo”: Where Is the Owner of Calif Records Now?