Jimmy Cliff was a kid who enjoyed the music from his neighbor’s speakers so much that he asked his teacher how to write his own songs. And after being encouraged to just write, the rest, as they say, is history. But that’s not all they say.
Cliff’s big break came in 1972 when he starred in and sang the title song for the film ”The Harder They Fall.” He constantly experimented with new genres and invited other reggae singers to do the same. One of those singers was 14-year-old Bob Marley, whom he encouraged to audition for the record company that would make Marley famous.
But Cliff’s path wasn’t without struggle. He endured abhorrent racism in the U.K., and the horrors of the Vietnam War broke his heart.
Cliff once said, “And I keep on fighting for the things I want. Though I know that when you're dead you can't.” His extensive body of work, including music on the We Are the World album, condemnation of child poverty, and support for those displaced by war and politics, speaks volumes.
Cliff’s work got the world listening to reggae. His life reminds us that we, too, can be portals to great things – all we have to do is get started.