Saxophonist was one of the last two living members of the original lineup of the legendary Jamaican group
Lester Sterlingoriginal member of the iconic group skateboardsdied at the age of 87, on the last day of the 16th. Jamaica Observer. The cause of death was not revealed.
Sterling was one of the last living members of the group’s classic lineup, which defined the foundations of ska since its inception in 1964. With his death, only the lead singer Doreen Shaffer becomes the last representative of the original period.
On Facebook, the official Skatelites page shared:
“It is a sad day for all of us as our legendary founder and original saxophonist Lester ‘Ska’ Sterling passes away. Our hearts go out to his family, fans and all those close to him. We celebrate his greatness and his contributions as one of pioneers of ska and reggae music. He leaves a legacy for present and future generations, which we will continue to pursue stage to stage.”
Sterling had been acting since the 1950s alongside Doreen Shaffer, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Lloyd Brevett, Lloyd Knibb, Don Drummond, Jah Jerry Haynes, Jackie Mittoo It is Johnny Moore. Together they would form the first generation of the Jamaican group, which only lasted a year but left an immense legacy for the genre.
Subsequently, he would join the band’s renewed lineup, in 1983, with whom he would perform until 2014. In 1998, he would be awarded the Order of Distinctionan honor from the government of Jamaica, for his contribution to music.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
