John Holt dies, aged 69

By Scott Williams | Published: Mon 20th Oct 2014

One Love Festival 2014

Friday 15th to Sunday 17th August 2014
Springfield Farm, Salden Lane, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK17 0PN, England MAP
£140 for the weekend

Daily capacity: 4,000

Jamaican reggae star John Holt has died aged 69 last night in a London hospital.

Born in Kingston, Holt found fame as a member of The Paragons in the 1960s, whilst in the group he penned 'The Tide Is High', a global hit Blondie. He went on to write a string of classic songs including 'Tonight', 'Ali Baba', 'I See Your Face', 'Stick By Me', 'A Love I Can Feel', and 'If I Were A Carpenter' and put his distinctive stamp on numerous covers including 'Help Me Make It Through The Night ', 'Just the Way You Are' and 'Touch Me in the Morning'.

Holt was still actively touring until the end, and gave his last performance at One Love Festival this summer on Saturday 16th August.

eFestivals was there to cover the festival and mentioned Holt's last ever performance, which was cut short when he collapsed, here. eFestivals also took the last ever photos of Holt performing.