Discount Event Tickets

Monday, February 3, 2014

Third World Lead Singer Bunny Rugs Dead at 65

Bunny Rugs photo courtesy of The Jamaica Observer
Lead singer of the iconic reggae band Third World, William "Bunny Rugs" Clarke, passed away on Sunday in a Miami hospital.  He was 65.
According to The Jamaica Observer, The singer had been battling cancer for some time and had missed several of the group's engagements in recent months, but it was thought that we was recovering and would be well enough to travel back to Jamrock soon.

The singer passed away just shy of his 66th birthday, which would have been February 6.  He was born in Mandeville and became lead singer of Third World in 1976, replacing Prilly Hamilton.  Third World is best known for hits such as "96 Degrees in the Shade", "Try Jah Love", and "Now That We've Found Love", which was originally recorded by American R&B group The O'Jays, and later sampled by 90's rap group Heavy D and the Boys.  Other hits include the mellow "Cool Meditation" and one of my personal favorites, "Sense of Purpose", which they performed as a collaboration with Buju Banton on his last studio album before being incarcerated, Rasta Got Soul.

The reggae world has lost a true giant but the music and memories will live on.  Please feel free to share your comments below about your favorite Third World songs, memories, performances, etc.


Third World Performing "Sense of Purpose" Live in Germany 1993

2 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Yes it was, the talent of this group is just legendary. Performers like Bunny Rugs are irreplaceable!

      Delete