Roland Burrell has died
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Black News 
Roland Burrell has died
Roland Burrell, the veteran Jamaican reggae singer best known for the roots classic Johnny Dollar, has died on May 14th. He left behind a rich musical legacy that helped define the sound and spirit of roots reggae from the late 1970s onward. His passing led to mourning among fans, fellow musicians, and reggae lovers throughout Jamaica and the wider diaspora.
Born on April 3, 1951, in Clarendon, Jamaica, Burrell was raised amid the vibrant musical culture of Kingston and Trench Town, where he encountered reggae pioneers including Bob Marley and Toots Hibbert. Inspired by the era’s growing roots movement, he began recording music as a teenager and quickly developed a reputation for his soulful voice and conscious lyrical style.
Burrell first gained widespread recognition with songs such as Stormy Night, Black Race, Nobody Cares, and especially Johnny Dollar, his 1982 breakthrough hit recorded with legendary riddim duo Sly & Robbie. The song became a favorite among reggae audiences in Jamaica and abroad, earning Burrell international acclaim and cementing his place among the era’s respected roots vocalists.
Throughout his career, Burrell worked with some of reggae’s most influential musicians and producers, recording at Jamaica’s famed studios alongside celebrated session players and engineers. Though never one to chase celebrity, he remained deeply admired within reggae circles for both his artistry and humility. Collectors and longtime fans continued to celebrate his recordings decades after their original release, while newer audiences discovered his music through reissues and streaming platforms.
In recent years, Burrell revisited some of his classic recordings, including a renewed version of Johnny Dollar, introducing his music to a younger generation of reggae listeners. Even late in life, he remained connected to the culture and message that shaped his career.
Roland Burrell’s voice carried the warmth, struggle, spirituality, and resilience that define Jamaican roots reggae at its finest. Though he has passed, his music endures as a testament to an artist whose songs spoke quietly but powerfully to generations of listeners.
He is remembered not only as a gifted singer, but as a guardian of reggae’s enduring soul. Burrell will be deeply missed, but the music isn’t going anywhere.
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The post Roland Burrell has died appeared first on Reggae Vibes.
