Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has expressed deep sadness at the passing of two major contributors to Jamaican music – founding member of the Clarendonians group, Ernest Wilson, and veteran percussionist and former member of Bob Marley and the Wailers, Alvin ‘Seeco’ Patterson.

Wilson died at the Kingston Public Hospital on Tuesday (November 2) at age of 69 while Patterson passed on Monday (November 1). He was 90 years old.

“Both Ernest and ‘Seeco’ in their own way made lasting contributions to our music industry,” Grange said.

“We recall that Ernest joined with his childhood friend Peter Austin 55 years ago to form the Clarendonians, which later included a ery young Freddie McGregor.

“They made memorable hits which included You Can’t Be Happy, You Won’t See Me and Rudie Gone a Jail.

Ernest later released two albums on his own.

Born in Cuba, ‘Seeco’, who came to Jamaica as a child later in life, linked up with the original Wailers – Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and ‘Bunny’ Wailer – in the late 1960s.

He was percussionist on some of the early Wailers recordings.

“He continued playing with Bob until Bob’s passing in 1981 and he retired from the music scene in 1990.

“Ernest and ‘Seeco’ will be remembered for a long time as two men who dedicated their lives to producing great music, adding immensely to Jamaica’s rich catalogue of Ska and Reggae music.

“I wish to extend sincerest condolences to the family and relatives of Ernest, to those who partnered with him in the Clarendonians, to those left behind by ‘Seeco’ and to the music fraternity in general,” Grange said.

“May their souls rest in peace.”