Johnny Nash

John Lester Nash Jr. (1940–2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor best known for his 1972 global hit “I Can See Clearly Now.” Born in Houston, Texas, Nash began singing in church and on local radio and television as a child, later gaining national exposure through appearances on Arthur Godfrey’s shows. Starting his recording career in the late 1950s, he achieved early success with pop and R&B singles and also worked as an actor, earning a Silver Sail Award for his role in Take a Giant Step (1959). During the 1960s, Nash became deeply involved in the Jamaican music scene, making him one of the first non-Jamaican artists to record reggae in Kingston. After moving to Jamaica with manager Danny Sims, he co-founded JAD Records and helped introduce reggae and rocksteady sounds to international audiences. Notably, Nash signed and worked closely with Bob Marley and The Wailers, recording and publishing several of Marley’s early compositions. His rocksteady hit “Hold Me Tight” and reggae cover of “Stir It Up” found major success in the US, UK, and Canada. Nash reached the peak of his career in the early 1970s when “I Can See Clearly Now” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies. Though his mainstream visibility declined later in the decade, his influence endured through film placements and cover versions of his songs, including Jimmy Cliff’s rendition in Cool Runnings. Nash made occasional returns to music and acting before passing away in 2020 at age 80, leaving a legacy as a bridge between American pop and Jamaican reggae music.