Veteran reggae artiste Junior Byles, whose given name is Kenneth Byles Jr, died at the Kingston Public Hospital Thursday afternoon.

He was 76 years old.

Byles was a Jamaican conscious roots reggae singer known for his unique and emotive vocals. His most popular songs include Beat Down Babylon, King of Babylon, and Fade Away, which were massive hits in Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

His song Fade Away, released in 1976, is considered his biggest hit and remains one of the most sampled reggae tracks.

Byles’ music career was also marked by his collaborations with producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, which resulted in some of his most highly regarded work.

Despite struggling with health issues and personal problems, Byles continued to produce music, releasing his last album, Rasta No Pickpocket, in 1986.