KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Relatives say a founding member of the influential band The Skatalites has died in Jamaica at age 80.
Family spokeswoman Maxine Stowe says bassist Lloyd Brevett died Thursday at a Kingston hospital.
He had suffered a stroke in March, two weeks after his son was murdered by gunmen outside the family’s home.
Brevett was an original member of The Skatalites, a hugely influential band begun in 1964. The group made its mark by transforming everything from jazz to movie themes into ska style.
Musicologist Bunny Goodison says Brevett and drummer Lloyd Knibb were the “driving force of ska.” Knibb died in 2011.
Brevett is survived by his wife and five children.
Brevett’s son Okine was killed in February hours after accepting an award for his father’s musical contributions.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.