Max Romeo, the roots reggae giant and cultural beacon Max Romeo died on Friday, April 11. At 80 years old, he passed due to complications from a previously undisclosed heart condition. Maxwell Livingston Smith, who was born in the northern Jamaican town of Alexandria, was one of the most important figures in reggae music’s golden age. His legacy stretched beyond Baltimore and even the United States. His career was active for decades, and in that time he established himself as a major voice with politically powerful lyrics and an indelible musical style.
Romeo immigrated as a child, settling in Kingston, Jamaica, steeping himself into the music forward culture of his home country. He achieved his first major success in the mid 1960s when he led the harmony trio, the Emotions. This breakthrough success laid the groundwork for his subsequent breakout hit, “Wet Dream,” which came out in 1968. That song went on to become an international phenomenon, in classic rock history, banned by the way, for its suggestive lyrics by the BBC. “Wet Dream” made it to the UK Top 10, making Romeo’s hold on music even stronger.
His sultry debut album, A Dream, was recorded in London with Calgary-based backing band the Rudies. Of course, it only highlighted his innovative sound and profound lyrics. As the 1970s went on, Romeo began to add a much more politically charged atmosphere to his music to the extent that people started to view it as rebel music and lefty anthems. His songs captured the mood of an island steeped in irony, reflecting the Jamaican people’s struggles, but their hope and spirit.
In 1978, Romeo further showcased his artistic versatility when he co-wrote and starred in the hit musical Reggae. His impact to music greatly surpassed what he was able to accomplish on his own. Beyond that, he provided backup singing voice for the Rolling Stones on their 1980 bounce “Dance.” His 1976 LP, War Ina Babylon, is widely considered one of his crowning achievements. Recorded with the Upsetters, this album is rightly considered a stone classic in reggae history.
In his later years, Max Romeo continued to be active in the music scene, touring and recording new material that captivated audiences worldwide. He poured himself into his craft and had a profound ability to connect with audiences through poignant and prophetic messages. His visionary legacy will be felt long after he passed last week.