Johnny Nash, reggae singer best known for I Can See Clearly Now, dies aged 80

[malaise]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/oct/07/johnny-nash-reggae-singer-best-known-for-i-can-see-clearly-now-dies-aged-80

Nash, who had been in declining health, died of natural causes at home in Houston, the city of his birth, said his son, Johnny Nash Jr.

Nash rose from pop crooner to early reggae star and was in his early 30s in 1972 when I Can See Clearly Now topped the charts. He had already lived several show-business lives. In the mid-1950s, he was a teenager covering Darn That Dream and other standards, his light tenor likened to the voice of Johnny Mathis. A decade later, he was co-running a record company, had become a rare American-born singer of reggae and helped launch the career of his friend Bob Marley.

Nash, also an actor and producer, was among the first artists to bring reggae to US audiences. He peaked commercially in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when he had hits with Hold Me Tight, You Got Soul, an early version of Marley’s Stir It Up, and I Can See Clearly Now, still his signature song.

Reportedly written by Nash while recovering from cataract surgery, I Can See Clearly Now was a story of overcoming hard times, with a swelling pop-reggae groove, the promise of a “bright, bright sunshiny day” and Nash’s gospel-styled exclamation midway: “Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies!”

The rock critic Robert Christgau would call the song, which Nash also produced, “2 minutes and 48 seconds of undiluted inspiration”.
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We'll all be singing this come November 4

For the record Nash was born in Houston, Texas

[spanone]

1. RIP. One fabulous singer.....

What a talent.

[malaise]

8. Way more than a talent

There's Willie and Toots but Nash, Cliff and Marley were earlier.


Speaks volumes about the links between the South and these islands

[Vogon_Glory]

2. Go with God, Mr. Nash

You gave us a lot of joy and “I Can See Clearly Now” has been a solace for countless people emerging from dark times.

[randr]

3. Just got a new Jasmine label release

Johnny's early reggae years. Many awesome cuts.
I can see clearly now is more than a standard.

[malaise]

7. Nash helped Reggae break into the US market

Jimmy Cliff, Marley et al all acknowledged that.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

4. He had a great voice.

Love the song "I Can See Clearly Now". I hope Joe uses it at his inauguration!

I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind

It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

Oh, yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for

It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day

Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies

RIP Johnny

[Roland99]

5. :(

[imanamerican63]

6. Great singer.

[panader0]

9. Interesting about him writing the song while recovering from cataract surgery. It makes sense.

RIP Johnny Nash.
I like the suggestion above to have Biden use it in his inauguration.

[malaise]

10. He could see clearly then

literally - should link this to Neville Dog's thread

[panader0]

11. He could see clearly then, and perhaps he can see everything now.

[malaise]

12. I genuinely don't believe I'll see anything after death

but my mom sure thought otherwise

[MoonRiver]

13. RIP, that was one of my favorite all time songs. Nash was a great artist.

[Mendocino]

14. RIP

A fine tenor voice that really soared.