Tyrone Downie dies in Jamaica

Jamaican keyboardist, Tyrone Downie, best known for his involvement as a member of Bob Marley and The Wailers, passed away on Saturday night at a hospital in Jamaica.

Downie, who studied at Kingston College, and started his career while still in school, joined The Wailers in the mid-1970s, making his recording début with the band on Rastaman Vibration, having previously been a member of the Impact All Stars and Jackie Jackson's The Caribs.

He has also played with The Abyssinians, Beenie Man, Black Uhuru, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Junior Reid, Tom Tom Club, Ian Dury, Burning Spear, Steel Pulse, Alpha Blondy, Tiken Jah Fakoly and Sly & Robbie. He resided in France for many years and was a member of the touring band Youssou N'Dour, whose album Remember he produced.

In 1983, Grace Jones released the single My Jamaican Guy. Unbeknown to Downie, he (though in a relationship and not romantically linked to Jones) was the subject of the song.

Downie returned home to Jamaica about five years ago and has been involved in music production.