The world has lost a reggae legend. Jimmy Cliff, the charismatic Jamaican legend behind classics like ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ and ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’, has died at age 81. A star since the 1960s, Cliff helped carry the sound of Jamaica across the globe with uplifting hits such as ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’. His music was always more than entertainment; it carried messages of love, justice, and unity. Here at pointblank music school, we have our own special connection to Jimmy Cliff.
Phil Ramocon Plays for Jimmy Cliff
In 1980, Jimmy Cliff brought his hopeful spirit to Soweto. Around 55,000 people of all races gathered for his historic concert, which was an unforgettable moment taking place just four years after the Soweto Uprising, when students rose against oppressive apartheid education policies. For many, Cliff’s performance felt like a breath of healing after those turbulent years. Those who were there remember a rare scene of joy and solidarity.
Among the musicians on stage that day was keyboardist Phil Ramocon, whose rich, soulful playing helped lift Cliff’s songs even higher. Today, Phil is a lecturer at pointblank’s London campus, where he shares those experiences and that sense of purpose with our students. The Soweto concert remains a powerful reminder that while music alone cannot dismantle injustice, it can dissolve barriers, heal wounds, and inspire people to imagine a better future. Below is a short clip of Phil recounting his memories of that extraordinary night.
Honeychile supports Jimmy Cliff at the O2 Academy
Our connection doesn’t end there. Rob Cowan, pointblank’s CEO and founder, fondly remembers sharing a stage with Cliff a decade later. In 1990, his band Honeychile supported Jimmy Cliff at the O2 Academy in Kentish Town, an early-career highlight he still cherishes. Honeychile frequently played raves and live venues at the time, opening for icons like Bobby Womack, Hall & Oates, and of course, Jimmy Cliff. Taking the stage just before a reggae superstar remains a proud and nostalgic memory for Rob and for all of us at pointblank.
As we bid farewell to Jimmy Cliff, we celebrate an extraordinary legacy spanning six decades. He penned anthems of perseverance and unity that have become part of the world’s soundtrack. For those of us at pointblank, Jimmy Cliff will forever be remembered not just as a reggae icon but as someone who touched our own lives and musical journeys. His music will continue to uplift and inspire future generations.
Thank you, Jimmy, for the music and the memories. Rest in peace.
