Reggae Singer Johnny Nash Passes Away at 80 — Look Back at His Legacy

Reggae icon Johnny Nash, who graced the music scene since the 50s recently passed on at his home as confirmed by his son. Nash died at the age of 80.

Fans would reckon that one of the evergreen songs in history is 1972's "I Can See Clearly Now," and the credit goes to reggae crooner Johnny Nash.

Yesterday, the music icon's son confirmed to CBS Los Angeles that he died of natural causes at his hometown in Houston, Texas. Leading up to his passing, Nash suffered a decline in the state of his health.

Born John Lester Nash Jr., the acclaimed music star started singing in church when he was a child. During the 1950s, he became one of the big names in the music industry.

In his lifetime, the music veteran made hit tracks like "Stir It Up" and "Hold Me Tight." However, his best-known sound is the reggae-style sound, "I Can See Clearly Now."

Nash first gained attention after he did a cover of Doris Day's "A Very Special Love" in 1958. He made more song covers from artists like Sam Cooke. The late star is known for his pivotal role as the first non-Jamaican musician to record reggae music in Kingston, Jamaica.

In 1967, Nash signed Bob Marley and The Wailers to his JAD record label. He also financed some of their music projects. Marley would later become a reggae legend before and after his death.

In his lifetime, the music veteran made hit tracks like "Stir It Up" and "Hold Me Tight." However, his best-known sound is the reggae-style sound, "I Can See Clearly Now."

The hit single topped the Billboard Hit 100 chart in 1972 and went on to sell over one million copies. "I Can See Clearly Now" holds a theme of positivity and hope which made it a theme song for many movies and commercials.

The legendary vocalist whose showbiz career spanned over six decades made more music through the '70s. More of his acclaimed rhythms include "Pour Sugar on Me" and "Tears on My Pillow," which topped the UK Singles Chart in 1975. However, music lovers noticed a decline in his work in the late '70s.

In the 1980s, Nash made a resurgence with his album, "Here Again," only to recline into his private life yet again. In 2006, he transformed his analog recordings into digital forms to preserve them.