Legendary singer Johnny Nash has died, his family confirmed.
The I Can See Clearly Now singer-songwriter passed away aged 80 on Tuesday afternoon at his family home in Houston, Texas.
Prior to his death, he is believed to have ended several months of “declining health”.
Born John Lester Nash Junior, he began singing in the choir of Progressive New Hope Baptist Church in Central Houston as a youngster.
He went on to sing a variety of R&B covers on NBC’s KPRC-TV in 1953.
The singer released his first single in 1957, A Teenager Sings the Blues, after signing with ABC-Paramount.
Johnny Nash has died aged 80 (Image: Getty Images)
During the course of his career, he was one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae style music in Jamaica.
However, it was his 1972 reggae-influenced record, I Can See Clearly Now that secured his status in the music industry.
The track went on to sell over one million copies, later awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in 1972.
The singer was best known for his hit I Can See Clearly Now (Image: Michael Ochs Archives)
Following its release, it achieved number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and proudly sat at the top spot for four weeks.
Johnny’s last studio single, Rock Me Baby, was released in 1985 from his last album, Here Again.
The album was released just a year later.
It was reported back in 2019 by The New York Times Magazine that he was one of the hundreds of artists whose material was said to have been destroyed in the 2008 fire at Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Since the news of his death, fans instantly flooded social media to pay tribute to the legendary singer.
“Yet more bad news from the world of music… RIP ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ singer-songwriter Johnny Nash,” said one fan.
A second added: “Rest In Peace Johnny Nash. Heaven will sing sweet tonight.”
“Rest In Peace Johnny Nash, you can see clearly now to the face of God,” tweeted a third.
He is survived by wife Carli and their son, Johnny.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
