The "Cool Ruler" Gregory Isaacs passed away early Monday morning at his home in the United Kingdom (UK).
He was 59 years old.
Born in Kingston on July 15, 1951, the artiste dubbed the "Cool Ruler" had been battling lung cancer for several months.
He called off his tour this year to do some medical tests.
He returned home to Jamaica for a few months before going back to the UK to be with his wife Linda.
His sobbing daughter Jacqui told RJR News Monday morning that her father had lost the battle.
"Everybody is sad, a great man has gone. He is the best father in the world, he is funny and great to be around … oh God," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
Gregory Isaacs had a career spanning some 40 years during which he unleashed a string of hits including Night Nurse, Love is Overdue, Loving Pauper, Tune in, My Number One and Rumours.
He had a much publicised struggle with substance abuse from which he managed to emerge to do several more shows and tours to please his throng of fans.
For several years he was a fixture on such shows as Reggae Sunsplash with his dapper dressing and on stage antics.
His trademark silky smooth voice made him a favourite reggae balladeer.
Outpourings of shock and grief have greeted the passing of the late international reggae artiste.
A champion of Reggae gone - Grange
Culture Minister Olivia Grange hailed Gregory Isaacs as one of the champions of reggae music.
She disclosed that the government will be involved in his funeral arrangements.
“I mourn his loss as the Minister responsible for culture, I mourn his loss as a good friend and as a fan of good Jamaican music,”
“We will receive Gregory’s body sometime in the next week or so, can’t say exactly when just yet, but I will be involved in assisting the arrangements and ensure that he has a wonderful send off. Jamaicans love Gregory Isaacs and Jamaicans will show their love when we celebrate his life,” Mrs. Grange said.
Isaac's helped to popularize reggae - St. Juste
Francois St. Just, General Manager of the RJR Group's Radio Division, recalled Gregory Isaac's contribution to reggae music.
“Gregory Isaacs is one of those who did the heavy lifting for reggae music in the 70s when the work had to be done to tour to popularize reggae music and he was somebody who toured extensively with the catalogue of music that he had he was in demand all around the world and with people like Dennis Brown, Culture, Sugar Minott. These are the people who did some of the really hard work and to have them all gone now is even sadder,” Mr. St. Juste said.