KINGSTON, Jamaica — The life and legacy of roots reggae icon Kenneth “Junior” Byles will be honoured with a nine-night ceremony this Friday, May 23, at 20 Delamere Avenue in Kingston. Byles, best known for classics like Fade Away and Curly Locks, passed away on May 15, 2025, at age 77.
Despite a career marked by timeless music, Byles battled mental health issues for over five decades, which led to periods of homelessness and a tarnished public image. Music producer Claude “Big Stone” Sinclair, who awarded Byles a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, called for his enduring legacy to be respected and celebrated.
Sinclair also credited individuals like Earl “Chinna” Smith, Mutabaruka, Niney the Observer, and George Phang for consistently supporting Byles. The Jamaican government, which honoured Byles with a Reggae Gold Award earlier this year, is assisting with funeral arrangements.
Minister of Culture Olivia Grange paid tribute to Byles’ contribution to reggae, describing his work as both powerful and thought-provoking, and said his death has left a “huge void” in the music industry.
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