Johnny Nash pop singer: I Can See Clearly Now 'singer Johnny Nash died at the age of 80
American reggae and pop singer-songwriter Johnny Nash, best known for his 1972 hit I Can See Clearly Now, has died at the age of 80, his family has said.
Nash, whose health declined, died of natural causes at his home on Tuesday, his son told US media.
The musician began singing as a child and made his major label debut with the 1957 song A Teenager Singh's The Blues.
johnny Nash, best known for his 1972 hit "I Can See Clearly Now," died Tuesday morning, his son, John Nash, told CNN. He was 80 years old.The American reggae and pop music singer-songwriter passed away from natural causes at his home in Houston, his son said.
Johnny Nash began his career as a pop singer in 1950. In the 1960s, he and Danny Sims formed JAD Records, and while living in Jamaica, the pair signed Bob Marley and other members of the group, The Velars.
"Johnny loved reggae," Sims told the Houston Chronicle in 2012. "And he loved Bob and the guys. He taught Bob how to sing on the mic, and they taught Johnny how to play the reggae rhythm."
Nash, born in Houston, was one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.His single I Can See Clearly Now sold more than a million copies and reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972, where it remains for four weeks.He also had a number one hit in the UK in 1975 with Tears on My Pillow.According to his official website, Nash helped reggae legend Bob Marley sign a recording contract.
In an interview with Zoo World magazine in 1973, Nash told journalist Cameron Crowe he hoped his music has wide appeal. "I feel that music is universal. Music is for the ears and not the age. Everybody likes music… from eight to 80."There are some people who say that they hate music," he added. "I've run into a few, but I'm not sure I believe them. Maybe they have never been without music. Know what I mean?"
American actor John Cusack, who played the music-obsession record shop owner in the 2000 film High Fidelity, paid tribute to the singer online.
He thanked him for allowing him to use his most famous track in another film - the 1997 crime comedy Grosse Pointe Blank.Actress and singer Holly Robinson Pete offered: "Rest in Peace Johnny Nash", while fellow musician Rex Chapman said: "2020 is the worst ... the rest, sir."In addition to his son John, Nash is survived by his wife, Carly.
The reggae-influenced "I Can See Clearly Now" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on November 4, 1972, and stayed in the top spot for four weeks, according to Billboard.
The song returned to the Billboard charts when it was recorded by Jamaican reggae star Jimmy Cliff for the 1993 "Cool Runnings" movie soundtrack. Cliff's version made it to No. 11 on the Billboard charts.
Nash also sang the opening theme song for the cartoon series "The Mighty Hercules", which aired in the 1960s.According to their website, Nash was one of the first non-Jamaican singers to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.
