Reggae singer Junior Byles, voice of ‘Curly Locks’ and ‘Fade Away,’ dies at 76

Reggae singer Junior Byles, known for powerful roots anthems like “Curly Locks,” “Fade Away,” and “Beat Down Babylon,” died on Thursday at Kingston Public Hospital. He was 76.

His sister, Janet Byles, confirmed his passing.

Born Kenneth Byles Jr., the singer emerged during the roots-reggae revolution of the early 1970s, fusing Rastafarian spirituality with politically conscious lyrics. His most memorable work was produced in collaboration with legendary producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, yielding timeless tracks such as “A Place Called Africa” and “King of Babylon.”

Byles began his music career in the late 1960s as a firefighter moonlighting as a vocalist with the harmony group The Versatiles, which he co-founded. The trio initially recorded for Joe Gibbs before shifting to Perry and Duke Reid’s Treasure Isle label. The group disbanded in 1970, paving the way for Byles’ solo rise.

With Perry, Byles had a minor hit with “What’s The World Coming To”, released under the name King Chubby, and over the next five years, the partnership would result in some of Perry’s most highly regarded work, with Byles’ Rastafarian beliefs clearly evident.

“Rub Up Festival” was Byles’ entry for the Festival Song Contest in 1971, but the song’s suggestive lyrics led to it being disqualified after reaching the final eight. The following year’s “Festival Da Da” fared better, finishing as second runner-up. Also in 1972, Byles began self-producing and set up his Love Power label, releasing singles such as “Black Crisis” and “Our Mistakes.”

His debut album, Beat Down Babylon (1972), cemented his reputation as one of Jamaica’s most original voices. He would go on to release politically charged songs like “Joshua Desire” and “Pharaoh Hiding” in support of former Prime Minister Michael Manley’s 1972 campaign, and later criticized the lack of progress for the poor with the stark “When Will Better Come?”

Despite his artistic success, Byles struggled with mental illness for much of his life, including a breakdown following the 1975 death of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie. Diagnosed with depression and later prostate cancer, he spent years in and out of psychiatric care.

Still, his music endured. In 2023, guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith and the Binghistra Movement released “Still Beating Down Babylon,” a tribute album featuring acoustic renditions of Byles’ classics. In early 2019, a benefit and celebratory concert took place, followed by a large cash donation to Byles from the charity foundation of dancehall artist Bounty Killer the following year.

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Junior Byles’ work remains a cornerstone of roots reggae—raw, spiritual, and politically fearless.