Veteran Jamaican reggae artist Leroy Gibbons has passed away after collapsing at a recording studio in Hanover on Tuesday morning, marking a somber moment for the reggae and lovers rock community both in Jamaica and abroad. The news was confirmed by iconic producer King Jammy, who enjoyed a long-standing creative partnership with Gibbons throughout his career. Sources close to the singer revealed that he had been battling respiratory challenges in recent times, possibly contributing to his untimely passing.
Gibbons, whose smooth, soulful vocals graced some of reggae’s most beloved lovers rock and dancehall tracks, carved a distinct niche for himself during the 1980s with enduring hits such as “Four Season Lover,” “Samfie Girl,” and “Little More Like You.” His 1988 album Four Season Lover remains a standout classic that helped cement his place among reggae’s elite. Born and raised in Kingston before relocating to Toronto, Canada, Gibbons built a cross-border legacy, effortlessly blending Jamaican roots with international appeal.
Despite personal setbacks—including a life-threatening shooting incident in Portmore in 2017 that left him with a fractured pelvis—Gibbons remained resilient and deeply connected to his faith. He described surviving the attack as a spiritual awakening, a theme he later explored in his 2022 gospel EP Heaven Bound, which featured reflective tracks like “Heaven Sounding Sweet” and “Peace in the Valley.” Earlier this year, he reunited with The Gospel Proclaimers—his original gospel group from Kingsway High School—for a special 50th-anniversary performance at the Arise2025 concert.
Tributes have poured in from across the island, including Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who praised Gibbons as “a cherished son of Jamaica whose voice helped shape the golden era of reggae and lovers rock.” Holness noted, “Leroy’s passing is a great loss to our cultural landscape, but his music will continue to live on, reminding us of the beauty, soul, and emotion that reggae brings to the world.” Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the days ahead.
