Alton EllisReggae / rocksteady legend, Alton Ellis, died last night at a hospital in London, U.K.; he was 68 years old. Ellis was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer last year, and underwent treatment, including chemotherapy. By Summer of this year, it was believed that he was on the road to recovery, as he even returned to Jamaica for the ‘Get Ready To Rocksteady’ concert in June.

He was however hospitalized for several weeks, after collapsing at a recent show in London, and despite intensive care he never recovered. Officials at Hammersmith Hospital said Ellis died “peacefully” Friday, and that his family did not wish to release further details. Ellis is survived by his wife and more than 20 children. Funeral plans were not immediately announced, but it is expected that the Jamaican Government will make it a special and remarkable event.

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