Byron Lee Dies From Cancer at 73!

One of the leading pioneers in introducing Jamaican music to the world, Byron Lee has dies of cancer at the age of 73. Lee was also the founder of one of Jamaica's first ska bands.

Byron Lee was born on June 27, 1935 to a black, Jamaican mother, who was 1/2 chinese and a Chinese father. Byron once stated that "from my mother I received the soul, rhythm and love of music and from my father I received my shrewd business sense. My father went into the usual Chinese things and was quite succesful, he owned bakeries, hardware stores, everything."

Byron began playing piano at the age of 5 years old but discovered his true affinity for music as a teenager and added several other instruments to his repertoire including the guitar and bass. He was also an avid football player and celebrated quite a few victories as a part of the St. George's College football team in the late 1950's.

The musician founded the band, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires in 1956 at the age of 20 and recorded several ska and calypso songs, including the smash hit "Tiney Winey". The band soon signed with the West Indies Recording Limited label owned by future Jamaican Prime Minister, Edward Seaga.

Lee bought the label in 1964 and his Kingston studio would go on to attract such musical icons as The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton.

Byron Lee is survived by his wife and six children