Jamaican reggae legend Max Romeo has died aged 80.

Max, who is renowned for his BBC-banned hit, tragically pᴀssed away from heart complications in his homeland.

A statement on Instagram confirmed his death on Saturday, writing: ‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the pᴀssing of our beloved Max.

‘We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and tributes, and kindly ask for privacy at this time. 

‘Legends never die.’

Touching tributes poured in for the ‘great reggae icon’ as the sad news was announced.

Jamaican reggae legend Max Romeo has died aged 80 (pictured in 2013)

Max, who is renowned for his BBC-banned hit, tragically pᴀssed away from heart complications in his homeland (pictured in 1981)

Others wrote: ‘our music will play eternally, thanks for all the big music. All my condoleances to your family and friends [sic]’, 

‘Legend never die!’,

‘What sad news. Goodbye my friend. Your music will continue to uplift and bless people. May the Lord be gentle towards you and his angels guard you as you sleep. See you up there our musical brother’,

‘This one hurts me, I just talked to him on March 28, I’m so sorry for the loss of this GREAT reggae ICON, he will truly be missed & loved FOREVER, R.I.P. Max!! Jah know’.

Max’s greatest hits include Wet Dream, which sH๏τ to the top ten in 1968.

His single, which spent 25 weeks in the charts, was later banned by the BBC due to its controversial lyrics.

Max’s other hits include War Ina Babylon and Chase The Devil.

The singer, real name Maxwell Livingston Smith, kickstarted his career in the 1960s before he catapulted into fame with his controversial song.

A statement on Instagram confirmed his death on Saturday, writing: ‘It is with deep sadness that we announce the pᴀssing of our beloved Max. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and tributes, and kindly ask for privacy at this time. Legends never die’

Touching tributes poured in for the ‘great reggae icon’ as the sad news was announced

When Max moved to New York in 1978, he co-wrote the musical Reggae. 

The musician also collaborated with The Rolling Stones, providing backing vocals on the track Dance (Pt.1) in 1980.

In 2023, Max filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group and Polygram Publishing, Inc. for $15million (£11.4m).

He claimed that he had not been given royalties for his work for over 50 years.