KINGSTON, Jamaica – Lloyd Charmers, the arranger/musician/producer who played a key role in the early years of reggae, is dead.

Charmers died after suffering a massive heart attack in London, his close friend Winston Blake told the Observer Thursday afternoon.

The versatile Charmers was a member of the Uniques, a vocal group that included lead singer Keith ‘Slim’ Smith.

Lloyd Charmers in the 1970's

They had several hit songs including Let Me Go Girl, produced by Bunny Lee. Charmers also provided backing vocals on many early reggae hits such as Winston ‘Niney’ Holness’ Blood and Fire which made the British national chart in 1971.

His greatest success as a producer came in 1975 with Ken Boothe’s Everything I Own, which topped the British national chart.

By Howard Campbell—-