Reggae pioneer Leonard Dillon dies in Jamaica

PHOTO taken from The Ethiopians Facebook page

KINGSTON—The leader of the pioneering reggae group The Ethiopians has died in Jamaica. Leonard Dillon was 68.

Daughter Patrice Dillon said her father died Wednesday at her home of lung and prostate cancer.

She said Dillon had been diagnosed with cancer in June and underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor earlier this year.

Leonard Dillon began his career using the stage name Jack Sparrow in the early 1960s. He recorded a series of ska songs, including “Bull Whip,” which featured a young Bob Marley on backing vocals.

Dillon later formed The Ethiopians, a trio whose best known hits were “Train to Skaville” and “Everything Crash.”

Dillon is survived by seven children.