Renowned Jamaican reggae singer and producer Pluto Shervington has died, passing away Friday morning in a Florida hospital where he was admitted the day before.
Born Leighton Keith Shervington, he began his music career in the early 1970s as part of the showband “Tomorrow’s Children”.
His 1976 single “Dat,” about a Rastafarian trying to secretly buy pork, was an international hit that reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
His breakout “Ram Goat Liver” led Lee “Scratch” Perry to produce a popular version featuring Jimmy Riley.
He was considered an influential figure in spreading reggae music beyond Jamaica to an international audience in the 1970s.
Fellow musicians and fans have paid tribute to Shervington, praising his vocal talents and songwriting.