One of Jamaica's finest musical ambassadors - Byron Lee is dead.

Born in Christiana, Manchester in 1935, Mr. Lee died at the Tony Thwaites Wing at the University Hospital of the West Indies on Tuesday.

Mr. Lee was admitted after developing complications, after being diagnosed with stage three cancer in November 2006.

He was conferred with the Order of Jamaica on October 26, whil in hospital, one day after returning home via air ambulance nd being placed in the care of his local doctors.

He had previously been awarded the Order of Distinction, Commander Class.

And both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition paid tribute to the life and work of Byron Lee in Parliament Tuesday.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding said Byron Lee will long be remembered for his work in the development of Jamaican music.

"It was because of the gravity of his illness that the government conferred on him the Order of Jamaica and award that was well deserved in recognition of the signal contribution that he has made to the development of Jamaican music in so many capacities," he said.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller said Bryon Lee played his part in Caribbean integration.

"And I think that his travel to Trinidad annually and collaboration with Sparrow I think it did a lot to the integration of Caribbean music, I think that he is gone but his work will always be remembered," she said.



Releases:
Dancehall Soca (12") Dynamic
Scatter Shot / Like You Do (7", Single) Rymska 1966


Production:
The Harder They Come - Original Soundtrack Recording (LP) Johnny Too Bad Island Records
Elizabethan Reggae / Soul Serenade (7") Duke Records 1969
Sparrow Meets The Dragon (LP) Trojan Records 1969
Soul Limbo Trojan Records 1969
Ripe Cherry (7") Dynamic 1971
Black Beauty (LP) State Records 1976
Phillip & Lloyd (LP) Dynamic 1976
Reggay International (LP, Album)Dynamic Sounds 1976
Work All Day / Play All Night (7") Dynamic Sounds 1976
Only A Fool (7") Negram 1977
Monkey Business (LP) Trojan Records 1980
The Sensational Maytals: That's My Number (LP)
Trojan Reggae Rarities Box Set (3xCD, Comp, Ltd + Box)
Dawing Of A New Era - The Roots Of Skinhead Reggae (2xLP, Comp)
Money In My Pocket - The Definitive Collection (2xCD)
Trojan Motor City Reggae Box Set (3xCD, Comp, Ltd + Box)


Appears On:
Star Trek (LP) Joe Kidd Trojan Records 1972
Reggay International (LP, Album) Dynamic Sounds 1976



That's just a tip of the iceburg..soca, calaypso, reggae, ska...everything that invovled Jamaican music..this cat did it also. He's up there with Joe Gibbs, King Tubby and all foundation artist.