Jamaican Singer Hopeton Lewis Dies at 66
Hopeton Lewis, the Jamaican singer who recorded the first Rocksteady song passed away last night at his home in the United States surrounded by close friends.
The 66-year-old diabetic had an ailing kidney and struggled with congestive heart failure for the past five years.
The singer’s Facebook page was flanked with comments from friends and relatives, among them one from his grand daughter and son Hopeton Lewis Jr.
“Oh God bless you grandpa, u been there for me since I remember I was two years old, when u start taking care of me, we talk the other day and was planning to come visit and you were going to get a letter for me, now I am here filled with tears, I miss you I can’t help but cry,” said Tishantay Multi-linxs Lewis.
His son expressed gratitude to all who came by to show his father the love he deserved.
“I know he’s looking down smiling at the love he’s receiving, he touched so many lives when he was alive, now in his passing, he still is God bless,” his son wrote.
Hopeton Lewis won the Festival Song competition in 1970 with Boom Shaka Laka. Among his other hits are Take It Easy, Grooving Out on Life, Love Is A Beautiful Thing and God Bless Whoever Sent You.
Source: Loop Jamaica